The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has awarded a $12.8 million contract to Planet Labs PBC, a leading provider of satellite imagery. The agreement aims to enhance maritime intelligence capabilities using artificial intelligence to monitor ocean activities, with a specific focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
This contract, part of the NGA's Luno B program, will leverage Planet's extensive satellite network in combination with an AI analytics platform from its partner, SynMax. The primary goal is to detect and track vessels engaged in illicit activities, strengthening national security and maritime law enforcement.
Key Takeaways
- Planet Labs secured a $12.8 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract from the NGA.
- The project focuses on providing AI-powered maritime intelligence for the U.S. Department of Defense and intelligence community.
- It will utilize Planet's satellite data and SynMax's AI platform, Theia, to monitor the Asia-Pacific region.
- The initiative aims to identify illegal fishing, "dark vessels," and other unreported maritime activities.
Details of the Luno B Program Contract
The contract awarded to Planet is structured as an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) agreement. This format provides the NGA with the flexibility to order services as needed up to the contract's ceiling. The initial $12.8 million covers the first phase of delivery under the Luno B program.
The NGA, which serves as a primary source of geospatial intelligence for both the Department of Defense (DoD) and the broader U.S. intelligence community, will use the service to gain a clearer picture of maritime traffic. The agreement also includes options for the agency to extend the partnership and purchase additional data and analysis based on pre-negotiated prices.
As the prime contractor, Planet will be responsible for delivering the final intelligence product. This involves integrating its satellite imagery with the advanced analytical capabilities provided by its partner, SynMax.
Contract at a Glance
- Agency: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
- Prime Contractor: Planet Labs PBC ($PL)
- Partner: SynMax
- Value: $12.8 Million (Initial Phase)
- Program: Luno B
Advanced Technology for Ocean Monitoring
The effectiveness of this maritime intelligence initiative relies on the combination of two powerful technologies: Planet's satellite constellation and SynMax's AI platform.
PlanetScope Satellite Constellation
Planet operates the PlanetScope constellation, a large fleet of Earth-imaging satellites. A key advantage of this network is its ability to provide near-daily revisit rates over vast areas. This high frequency of observation is critical for monitoring dynamic environments like the ocean, where vessel positions change constantly.
Jon Powers, Planet’s Vice President of Global Defense and Intelligence, highlighted the importance of this capability.
"In leveraging our PlanetScope constellation, which provides unparalleled broad area coverage of high interest ocean areas with near-daily revisit rates, users will continue to have the critical, relevant data they need to act quickly and decisively to help maintain maritime security around the world."
SynMax's Theia AI Platform
Raw satellite imagery alone is not enough to identify suspicious behavior. SynMax's AI data analytics platform, named Theia, processes the vast amounts of imagery collected by Planet's satellites. The platform is designed to automatically detect vessels and analyze their behavior over time.
Using machine learning algorithms, Theia can flag unusual patterns that might indicate illicit activities. This includes identifying ships that deviate from standard shipping lanes or rendezvous with other vessels in remote locations, which could suggest unreported transfers of goods.
Targeting Illicit and Unreported Activities
The world's oceans are vast, making it extremely difficult to monitor all activity manually. This creates opportunities for illegal operations to go undetected. The Planet and SynMax partnership aims to address several specific challenges, particularly in the strategically important Asia-Pacific region.
What Are 'Dark Vessels'?
The term "dark vessel" refers to a ship that has intentionally disabled its Automatic Identification System (AIS). AIS is a tracking system used on ships for identification and collision avoidance. By turning it off, vessels can attempt to move undetected, often to engage in illegal fishing, smuggling, or sanctions evasion.
The new NGA program will focus on three main areas of concern:
- Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: This is a major global problem that depletes fish stocks, damages marine ecosystems, and undermines the economies of coastal nations. Satellite monitoring can identify fishing boats operating in restricted areas.
- Dark Vessels: By comparing satellite imagery with AIS data, the system can identify vessels that are physically present but not broadcasting their location. This is a strong indicator of suspicious intent.
- Unreported Vessel Transfers: The technology can detect ship-to-ship transfers occurring at sea. These transfers are often used to launder illegally caught fish or smuggle contraband goods.
Strategic Implications for the Asia-Pacific
The focus on the Asia-Pacific region is significant. The area is home to some of the world's busiest shipping lanes and is a hotspot for territorial disputes and illegal fishing. Enhancing surveillance capabilities in this region is a key priority for U.S. defense and intelligence agencies.
By providing a more comprehensive and timely view of maritime activity, the intelligence from the Luno B program will support a wide range of U.S. government operations. This includes efforts to combat piracy, enforce international sanctions, and ensure freedom of navigation.
The partnership between a government agency like the NGA and commercial companies like Planet and SynMax demonstrates a growing trend in the national security sector. The U.S. government is increasingly turning to the commercial space and tech industries for innovative and cost-effective solutions to complex intelligence challenges.
With the option to expand the contract, this initiative could serve as a model for future efforts to secure global maritime domains using commercially available technology and data.