Text taken from the Telegram page of darpaandcia
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin is in italics.
[ColonelCassad] In 2025, the CIA venture fund In-Q-Tel financed the Array Labs startup, which is developing a fundamentally new space imaging system - clusters of miniature satellites capable of creating three-dimensional maps of any point on the planet with unprecedented accuracy.
Array Labs is developing a system consisting of compact satellites the size of a small box that fly in coordinated clusters and simultaneously irradiate the target with radio signals. The satellites work as a single virtual antenna, creating detailed three-dimensional models of the surface.
The key advantage of the system is obtaining a volumetric three-dimensional model in one pass instead of multiple flybys by conventional satellites. The accuracy of geolocation reaches 20 centimeters, and the system works in any weather, through clouds, smoke and camouflage.
Data is processed using special algorithms developed jointly with Raytheon as part of the Site3D product. Array Labs will be able to determine the real type of any vessel by analyzing its exact dimensions and height above the water.
The system will build a three-dimensional model of the ship with an accuracy of up to 20 centimeters and compare it with the database.
On the battlefield, the Array Labs system turns into an effective tool for tracking ground targets. The technology allows you to highlight objects even in difficult conditions, which makes camouflage less effective against radar surveillance.
The system is also able to detect changes in the structure of objects and terrain, creating detailed maps for monitoring infrastructure and analyzing changes over time.
Array Labs uses a set of advanced technologies to create a high-precision surveillance system: Coherent radar is a method in which satellites work in concert, precisely synchronizing their signals. This creates interference images that allow them to detect the slightest changes in objects such as buildings, bridges, or the earth's surface.
High-speed data transmission - a combination of different communication channels enables the transmission of large amounts of data directly to ground terminals. Real-time data processing - artificial intelligence algorithms allow for rapid analysis of intelligence information and the identification of important objects.Inter-satellite communication - satellites communicate with each other, creating their own communication network to coordinate the work of the cluster.
Array Labs plans to launch the next demonstration mission in 2026, followed by the deployment of the first production cluster of four satellites to provide regular coverage with the ability to scale to a global level.
The company has already successfully launched two demonstration satellites in 2024.
It is quite clear in what direction they are digging.In the future, such a system can be integrated into the concept of multi-domain operations and interfaced with military satellite communication systems with access through a single terminal/tablet.
The war in Ukraine clearly demonstrates the increased operational value of satellite intelligence data and satellite communication systems.