The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is embarking on an ambitious mission to bolster its maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific, tapping into commercial innovation to monitor and catalog illicit activity in what is rapidly becoming a theatre of heightened geopolitical tension. The initiative, known as Project Aegir, represents a strategic shift by the NGA to keep pace with the evolving threats in the region.
Seeking industry collaboration, the NGA has called upon commercial entities to propose advanced solutions that can surveil and analyze maritime activities. This call to action aims to foster a collaborative environment where the private sector’s technological prowess can be leveraged to enhance the United States’ intelligence capabilities. Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth, at a recent GEOINT conference, emphasized that commercial analytics and unclassified intelligence are crucial to understanding the complexities of the Indo-Pacific region—a region that houses some of the world’s largest militaries, ports, and economies.
At the heart of this initiative is a drive to improve maritime domain awareness—a detailed understanding of maritime activities both on and under the surface of the water. Whitworth highlighted the agency’s commitment “to staying ahead of evolving threats and supporting frontline efforts against [illegal, unreported and unregulated] fishing, illicit trafficking, and other activities that pose threats to global security.”
This new approach stems from a direct request from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), emphasizing the military’s urgent need to track and monitor illegal activities such as smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal fishing. Project Aegir signals NGA’s readiness to respond to these demands with agility and precision. The agency’s outreach for commercial solutions is not just a pursuit of operational excellence but also an experimentation with acquisition processes that favor speed and innovation.
Companies have been invited to submit their proposals for a pilot program which, if successful, will lead to a significant acquisition effort. NGA’s collaboration with non-traditional vendors and use of Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs) are indicative of its intention to diversify and modernize its sensor architecture. With plans to track “every ship, every day,” the NGA intends to ensure free and open waters in the region.
The embrace of commercial technology is also evident in the NGA’s broader strategy of harnessing AI-powered analytics and satellite imagery. As the demand for geospatial intelligence escalates due to global crises, the agency is increasingly looking to the commercial sector to handle what Vice Adm. Whitworth describes as a “tsunami of data,” expected to triple over the next decade.
Moreover, industry experts underscore the growing demand for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data, which is particularly suited for maritime surveillance due to its ability to detect vessels against the ocean’s surface regardless of weather conditions or time of day. As maritime security concerns rise, ranging from blockades to threats to commercial vessels, the utility of SAR in monitoring waterways is gaining recognition.
With the NGA’s Global Enhanced Geoint Delivery (G-EGD) system accessing imagery from a multitude of commercial providers like Maxar, Planet, Iceye, Blacksky, Capella Space, and others, the agency is setting a new standard for integration of commercial and government space-based sensors. This comprehensive approach is aimed at maintaining decision advantage over global rivals and ensuring maritime safety.
Relevant articles:
– NGA wants industry’s help monitoring illegal activity in Indo-Pacific, Defense News, 05/07/2024
– NGA issues solicitation as it moves to better monitor illicit maritime activities in Indo-Pacific, DefenseScoop, 05/06/2024
– NGA to tap commercial satellites to patrol maritime hotspots, SpaceNews, 05/06/2024