Hawkeye 360 raises $58m in Series D

The Herndon, Virginia-based company says it will be used to develop expand its analytics systems that support high-value defense missions. It plans to invest in AI “to better extract value” from the large amount of RF data being collected for geospatial intelligence, with the goal of simplifying the analysis for its customers.

The round was led by funds and accounts managed by BlackRock with additional funding provided by Manhattan Venture Partners. Existing investors involved included Insight Partners, NightDragon, Strategic Development Fund (SDF), Razor’s Edge, Alumni Ventures, and Adage Capital.

“HawkEye 360 continues to make the world a safer place through advanced RF analytics – including addressing maritime, environmental, and national security needs,” said HawkEye 360 CEO John Serafini.

“We’ve learned much over the past four years delivering data to the most demanding customers in the world. We’ll use this funding to drive our next steps in innovation. It speaks volumes that these leading investment firms are confident in the future of RF geospatial intelligence as a critical defense technology.”

The company has 21 satellites in orbit and says it plans to move to a new Block 3 satellite architecture starting with Cluster 14.

“HawkEye 360 has disrupted what used to be a static defense intelligence domain,” said Jared Carmel, Managing Partner and General Partner of Manhattan Venture Partners. “The company is the quintessential example of how a commercial operation could service the intelligence needs of the U.S. and our allies.”

See also: HawkEye 360 opens RF-sensing satellite manufacturing facility