The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages small businesses to engage in US Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. The special US Air Force SBIR topics, developed in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, National Security Innovation Network and AFWERX, are experiments to increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and transition rate of the SBIR program. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from commercialization.

Kleos was successful in its presentation of the Kleos’ Scouting Mission under AF192-001 and is participating in Phase I of the program. Phase 1 is to be completed by 23 Oct 2019 with delivery of a report including technical feasibility, financial sustainability and meeting defense needs serving as a gateway to a Phase 2.

Kleos’ Head of US Strategy; Karyn Hayes-Ryan said, “Participation by Kleos in the SBIR program is a welcomed opportunity for the company to provide access to numerous Department of Defense entities.”

The multi-satellite Scouting Mission system will form the foundation of a constellation that delivers a global picture of hidden maritime activity, enhancing the intelligence capability of government and commercial entities when AIS (Automatic Identification System) is defeated, imagery is unclear, or targets are out of patrol range. The first scouting mission is made up of 4x nano-satellites built by GomSpace in Denmark, each the size of a shoebox.