Second Task Order Awarded Under Luno A Program
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has awarded its second task order under the $290 million Luno A program, aimed at commercial analysis of satellite imagery. This task order has been granted to Electromagnetic Systems Incorporated (EMSI) for feature identification, as disclosed by NGA Director Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth during an interview at the Space Foundation’s annual Space Symposium. Whitworth noted that this award was made just a couple of weeks ago.
Initial Task Order Focused on Facility Monitoring
The first task order was awarded to Maxar Technologies in December, which focuses on „facility monitoring.” This task involves detecting changes at specific sites to document significant developments over time. The NGA is preparing to issue six more task orders in the coming months and expects to see initial results from these efforts by summer.
Commitment to Commercial Analytics
While specific financial details of the task orders were not disclosed, Whitworth emphasized NGA’s serious commitment to acquiring commercial remote sensing products. “If anyone doubts our commitment to commercial analytics, they should look no further than Luno A and B, with their $500 million ceiling,” he stated, highlighting the substantial investment being made.
Expansion of the Luno Program
In September, the NGA selected ten commercial space and data analytics companies to provide unclassified computer vision and AI-based analytic services under the Luno A indefinite quantity/indefinite delivery contract. Earlier in January, the NGA launched the Luno B initiative, choosing 13 vendors to compete for a funding pool of $200 million, focusing on the commercial applications of artificial intelligence in producing analytical outputs.
Anomaly Detection and Intelligence Gathering
According to Whitworth, “anomaly detection” is central to intelligence gathering and vital for the NGA’s capability to issue warnings about potential threats. This foundation allows the agency to deliver important imagery products, such as maps, to warfighters for targeting purposes. “To provide warning, we need a baseline and alerts for any anomalies that may suggest emerging problems,” he explained.
Collaboration with the Space Force
Whitworth confirmed ongoing negotiations with the Space Force regarding commercial imagery acquisition and the agency’s relationship with the Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Tracking (TacSRT) program. “We are on the cusp of a memorandum of agreement with the Space Force and NGA concerning TacSRT,” he shared, underlining the importance of integration and stewardship.
As the functional manager for geospatial intelligence (GEOINT), Whitworth oversees the National System for GEOINT, a consortium working on standards for data collection, exploitation, and dissemination. The integration of incoming data is essential for users to obtain a comprehensive understanding of potential threats.
Evolving Role of Commercial Capabilities
Historically, the primary input for GEOINT has been National Technical Means, which are the nation’s spy satellites managed by the National Reconnaissance Office. However, with the Space Force shifting towards a more proliferated architecture that relies increasingly on commercial capabilities, it’s crucial for NGA to account for and weave this information into its analyses. “I have a responsibility to ensure I get it all,” Whitworth asserted.
Ensuring Cost Efficiency in GEOINT Collection
Part of NGA’s stewardship role involves ensuring that GEOINT collection occurs cost-effectively. “TacSRT will help coordinate acquisitions to avoid redundant expenditures,” he stated, emphasizing that the forthcoming memorandum will formalize these procedures.
In expressing the partnership between the NGA and the Space Force, Whitworth remarked on the necessity of collaboration in the realm of space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. “NGA relies on space as a warfighting domain, and conversely, space operations depend on NGA as well,” he concluded, encapsulating the importance of their joint efforts in enhancing national security capabilities.
