Maxar Unveils AI-Powered ‘Sentry’ System to Detect Global Threats Before They Happen

In a major leap for global security and satellite intelligence, Maxar Technologies has introduced a powerful new system named “Sentry” — an advanced AI-driven global monitoring platform designed to detect potential threats before they unfold. The system is being hailed as a game-changer for defense forces, security agencies, and decision-makers who rely on rapid, reliable intelligence.

What is Sentry?

Sentry is Maxar’s latest innovation in space-based surveillance technology. It combines live satellite imagery with decades of archived geographic data, processed through artificial intelligence, to provide what the company calls “predictive intelligence.” This means it doesn’t just show what’s happening now — it anticipates what could happen next.

As global threats become more unpredictable, from military conflicts to maritime security issues, Sentry offers early warning alerts that could give governments and organizations a valuable advantage.

Two Specialised Monitoring Tools

Maxar’s Sentry platform comes in two mission-specific modules:

• Site Sentry:
  This module monitors key locations on land and sea, such as airports, ports, military bases, oil refineries, urban centers, and critical infrastructure. It continuously scans these areas and flags any abnormal activity like sudden troop build-ups, unusual vehicle convoys, or operational disruptions.

• Maritime Sentry:
  This tool focuses on the world’s oceans, providing real-time tracking of thousands of square kilometers of open waters. It monitors the movements of vessels, cargo ships, naval assets, and suspicious maritime gatherings, helping authorities detect potential threats or illegal activity at sea.

How Sentry Works

The strength of Sentry lies in how it gathers and processes data:

1. Automated Satellite Coordination:
   The system automatically orchestrates data collection from multiple satellites, including optical, radar, and infrared sensors. This ensures continuous monitoring of hundreds of global sites and vast sea regions at once.

2. Data Fusion and Time Synchronisation:
   The incoming data is combined into a single, time-aligned dataset, providing a comprehensive and clear picture of what’s happening on the ground and at sea. This allows for fast, large-scale analysis without conflicting data.

3. AI-Powered Threat Detection:
   Using advanced AI and machine learning models, Sentry compares real-time data against Maxar’s massive 250-petabyte archive of satellite imagery. The system looks for patterns and anomalies — such as sudden military deployments, new structures, or unexpected ship gatherings — and flags them for immediate attention.

Why This Matters

Maxar CEO Dan Smoot said the launch of Sentry was driven by growing demand from defense and security customers who now need broader, faster, and more predictive monitoring tools.

“For many of our customers, it’s no longer enough to deliver persistent monitoring of just one or two sites or limited geographies,” Smoot explained.

Sentry has been described as a “mini intelligence agency” in itself, offering decision-makers what Maxar calls “unparalleled decision superiority” — the ability to act ahead of a developing threat, rather than just reacting to it.

Final Thoughts

As tensions rise in various parts of the world and as security risks evolve quickly, systems like Maxar’s Sentry could play a vital role in shaping the future of intelligence gathering. By blending AI, decades of satellite data, and advanced analytics, Sentry isn’t just watching the world — it’s predicting its next moves.