Horizon Technologies Secures GBP 3.7 Million Deal for BlackFish Airborne SIGINT Systems

Horizon Technologies, a UK-based leader in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions, has recently announced a significant contract valued at GBP 3.7 million. This contract involves the delivery of their advanced BlackFish airborne signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems to a government customer in the Middle East. This development marks another milestone in Horizon Technologies' growing influence in the global defense and intelligence market.

The BlackFish technology is pivotal to Horizon’s Multi-Domain Amber ISR Network Products. This technology is designed to geolocate and monitor L-band emitters, such as SatPhones, providing critical intelligence capabilities. The versatility of Horizon’s ISR technology allows it to be deployed across various platforms, including manned aircraft (both rotary and fixed wing), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ships, terrestrial ground stations (AmberPersistent), and even in space on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Amber SIGINT satellites.

Each deployment domain offers distinct advantages tailored to the needs of both government and non-government customers. Aircraft and naval solutions provide rapid response capabilities with man-in-the-loop crews, UAV payloads are ideal for long-duration missions, the Amber space-based constellation offers extensive global coverage, and the ground-based AmberPersistent ensures continuous ISR coverage over vast strategic regions. Notably, the AmberPersistent system is already operational with a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, underscoring its reliability and effectiveness.

John Beckner, CEO of Horizon Technologies, expressed his enthusiasm about the expanding reach of their cutting-edge products. He highlighted the importance of their support from the UK Space Agency, which is facilitating the launch of the Amber-2 (Phoenix Mission) satellite slated for early 2025. This upcoming satellite, along with complementary AmberPersistent stations, is expected to enhance 24/7 SIGINT collection capabilities for multiple customers.

Beckner also emphasized the impressive performance of Horizon’s products in conflict zones like Ukraine and the Middle East. The ability of their sophisticated airborne SIGINT systems to deliver real-time data has proven invaluable to NATO and allied forces. Additionally, in the maritime domain, Horizon Technologies provides unique RF signatures of commercial vessels, enabling the tracking of "dark vessels" that avoid using Automatic Identification Systems (AIS).

Beyond the extensive range of solutions, Horizon Technologies offers flexible commercial options to their clients. Customers can choose from purchasing hardware, including ISR space-based payloads and complete turn-key ISR satellite constellations, to subscribing to worldwide ISR data services. This adaptability ensures that clients receive tailored solutions to meet their specific intelligence needs.

The GBP 3.7 million contract for BlackFish systems signifies Horizon Technologies’ ongoing commitment to advancing ISR capabilities and delivering state-of-the-art intelligence solutions to a global clientele. As they continue to innovate and expand their product offerings, Horizon Technologies remains at the forefront of the ISR industry, providing critical intelligence support to enhance security and operational effectiveness worldwide.