10054138Micro L-Band SIGINT Line Replaceable Unit for Medium and High Altitude unmanned aerial platforms - BlackFishXClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThe ability to geolocate and track satellite phone communications is an essential element of the armoury of agencies involved in maritime security and surveillance globally. Horizon's current BlackFish(tm) Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) solution is a follow-on to its successful FlyingFish(tm) system which is flying on over 60 NATO and non-NATO aircraft. BlackFish(tm) monitors the Thuraya, ISAT, and Iridium Sat Phone networks, geolocating and monitoring Sat Phone handsets. Our systems are already deployed in NATO and FRONTEX aircraft and have helped save the lives of more than 20,000 migrants. The Industrial research-based BlackFishX project targets advancement in our state of the art of airborne SIGINT solutions for use on the latest High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) and Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) platforms. We specifically aim to leverage the capabilities we have developed in non-military surveillance of satellite phone communications to exploit the potential that HAPS platforms provide. The requirements of HALE and MALE platforms will require significant development in the construction of our payload, not least in reducing its size and mass appreciably. The knowledge gained from the work will be invaluable as we look to future space-based platform applications. Horizon will partner with existing supplier and RF and microwave product specialist Linwave in developing BlackFishX. The project will last 15 months and project costs are budgeted at £228,215\.