Maxar Intelligence and Saab have signed an agreement to develop next-generation multi-domain battlespace solutions, focusing on space-based capabilities for drones.
Under the partnership, Maxar will integrate satellite imagery and 3D terrain data with Saab’s defense systems.
The initiative will enable autonomous systems to operate more effectively in contested environments by providing precise navigation and targeting data without relying on GPS.
“Our collaboration with Maxar represents a significant leap forward in our commitment to use information from the Space domain and thereby enhancing the strategic defense capabilities of Europe and beyond,” said Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s Dynamics business.
Moreover, Saab will gain access to Maxar’s geospatial intelligence tools and mission products, including the Raptor platform.
“By integrating Maxar’s high-end geospatial insights and satellite capabilities with our advanced defense systems, we are setting new standards in the effectiveness and reliability of military operations across multiple domains,” added Johansson.
Maxar’s Raptor Software
The agreement builds on Maxar’s ongoing work with Saab, including recent testing of the Raptor software.
Raptor is a vision-based software suite that enables drones to navigate autonomously without GPS.
It uses the drone’s onboard camera and Maxar’s 3D terrain data covering over 90 million square kilometers (34.7 million square miles) to extract precise ground coordinates and determine the aerial position in real-time.
In field tests, Maxar reported that the system was able to extract ground coordinates with an accuracy better than 2 meters (6.5 feet).
