Capability Development for SAR Intelligence at Huld
Written by Rizwan Asif
Project Manager
Huld, in collaboration with its partners, is strengthening its expertise in SAR intelligence. The complexity of SAR data requires additional tools inspired by the optical computer vision domain. Huld leveraging its 35 years of Space domain expertise to build a team that serves especially defense and security.
The influence of space, now, has never been more appreciated since the first mission in 1957. While the strategic importance of boots-on-the-moon has its merits, the current geopolitical situation has prompted nations to revisit Space ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance). Countries are also considering innovations for the safety and security of their people.
SAR Opportunities and Challenges
Engineering revolutions in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with its all-weather, day and night operations, penetration and interferometry capabilities, create an enticing opportunity to rejuvenate ISR. Finland is at the forefront of backing SAR for the defense of its boarders and easing accessibility for its allies.
While no one can refute the benefits of SAR data, it comes with its own challenges. Compared to optical imagery, SAR is not easily interpreted by the untrained eye. Also, in comparison, SAR has not been an active subject for decades of algorithmic advancements in computer vision. Therefore, creating an exciting engineering challenge to bridge computer vision and SAR.
The Right Mix of Talent and Collaboration
Here at Huld, we have already 35 years of expertise in space domain along with headlining contributions in computer vision and autonomous systems. Along with our partners in ICEYE, we have been building capabilities towards SAR intelligence. Our experts, developers and data scientists can detect, recognize and enhance targets in SAR imagery, through sophisticated tools we have built in-house.
Under the Finnish Government’s F-35 industrial participation program, Huld’s team has contributed towards the practical use of these tools, with the help of our consortium partners. Our human-centric approach is enabling use of SAR technologies with minimal training and thus unlocking scalability. We take great pride in our contribution, and we remain confidently poised for the future.