4 minute read•Updated 9:36 AM EDT, Wed April 9, 2025
Umbra, a California-based developer of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, has been selected to spearhead the development of next-generation space-based sensors aimed at significantly enhancing maritime and open-ocean search capabilities for the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
The initiative is being advanced under the U.S. Department of the Air Force’s Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) program; a public-private partnership designed to accelerate the fielding of high-impact commercial technologies for national security purposes.
The agreement with Umbra could be worth up to $60 million, pending final contract arrangements and matching co-investment from private sources.
Umbra will lead to the design, construction, and launch of an advanced constellation of SAR satellites. These spacecraft will demonstrate “the advantages of comprehensive, wide-area SAR coverage for search and find missions in open ocean and maritime applications.”
Multi-Agency Government Support
The project will be supported by multiple U.S. defense innovation entities, including the U.S. Space Force’s SpaceWERX organization, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and the Space Development Agency (SDA).
These agencies are tasked with accelerating space technology innovation and deploying capabilities that address modern defense needs, particularly in strategically sensitive regions like the Indo-Pacific. The STRATFI program is structured to leverage both public and private funding sources, requiring participating companies to attract matching capital from venture and commercial investors.
Umbra’s strong track record in SAR development and its growing relationships with national security stakeholders have positioned the company well for this strategic role. Although Umbra’s participation in the STRATFI program was first disclosed on March 10, the company officially announced on April 8 that the primary mission focus would center on maritime surveillance and sensing.
The Power of SAR
Unlike traditional optical imaging satellites, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems operate by emitting microwave radar pulses and measuring the reflections to produce high-resolution images of Earth’s surface.
SAR systems are immune to weather conditions and lighting limitations, allowing for persistent monitoring regardless of cloud cover, storms, or nightfall. This makes SAR ideal for maritime surveillance, where ocean expanses must be scanned continuously to detect vessels—ranging from large cargo ships to small, potentially illicit watercraft.
SAR imagery can also be used for change detection, allowing analysts to monitor shifting ship positions, port activity, oil spills, or debris fields in real time or over consistent revisit periods.
Strategic Focus on Indo-Pacific Waters
The Indo-Pacific theater has gained increasing strategic importance in recent years, as the United States and its regional allies seek to counter rising military and commercial activity, enforce international law, and protect sea lanes in the world’s most trafficked maritime domain.
The ability to monitor open ocean areas, particularly in regions where surveillance infrastructure is sparse or nonexistent, is a top priority.
SAR-equipped satellites can enable real-time detection of unauthorized vessels, bolster search-and-rescue operations, and provide tactical support to naval and coast guard missions.
A New Chapter for Umbra
Founded in 2015, Umbra has rapidly emerged as a key U.S. player in the SAR satellite industry, operating a growing commercial fleet of small satellites capable of sub-meter radar imaging resolution. The company is part of a new wave of commercial space firms providing capabilities that were once the exclusive domain of national space agencies and defense contractors.
With this new STRATFI-backed initiative, Umbra is set to expand its presence in defense-focused space applications while continuing to drive technological advancements in radar imaging.
