US Navy Vessel Detection and Tracking Contract Renewed with Planet
Project Covers Key Areas of Interest Throughout the Pacific
The US Navy has awarded a $7.5 million contract renewal to Planet Labs Federal for vessel detection and monitoring over key areas of interest throughout the Pacific.
“Understanding the maritime environment remains as critical as ever, and demands persistent, broad area coverage.”
Jon Powers, Planet
The project integrates both Planet’s daily, global PlanetScope data and high-resolution SkySat data into the Department of Transportation’s SeaVision platform, a web-based maritime situational awareness tool co-developed with the US Navy. The contract also leverages the integration of AI technology from SynMax, a longtime Planet partner, who provides vessel detections and other analytics.
Planet’s daily global scan is uniquely suited for broad area management, and helps provide the SeaVision platform with comprehensive, near real-time vessel monitoring across millions of square kilometers. The US Navy also has access to Planet’s high-resolution data, which is used to capture additional intelligence of critical events. Building on Planet’s industry-leading dataset, SynMax has applied its Theia technology to meet the unique requirements of the US Navy. This proprietary AI enhancement enables best-in-class detection of potential “dark vessels” using the Automatic Identification System (AIS), revealing possible smuggling, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and illicit ship-to-ship transfers. This data is also easily shareable amongst SeaVision users – creating a common operating picture in the Pacific and helping build trust and partnerships in the region.
“The Indo-Pacific is one of the busiest and most strategically important regions in the world; a hub of global trade with vast waters and dense vessel activity,” said Jon Powers, Planet Federal’s VP of Global Defense and Intelligence. “Understanding the maritime environment remains as critical as ever, and demands persistent, broad area coverage. Planet is proud to continue delivering this unique capability, supporting the US Navy and regional partners with imagery-based insights to foster stability and prosperity across the region.”
Planet Labs Federal is pleased to equip US Federal Civilian Agencies, the Department of Defense, and Intelligence Community with timely satellite data and analytics required to monitor and respond to global changes, and looks forward to this ongoing, important collaboration with the US Navy.