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Hydrosat, a climate tech firm specializing in thermal imagery for monitoring water stress in agriculture and mitigating climate change impacts, has secured a $1.9 million contract with the US Air Force. The agreement will enable Hydrosat to provide its thermal satellite data to tackle key challenges within the Department of the Air Force (DAF), aiming to enhance the nation's defense capabilities by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 17, 2024
Hydrosat, a climate tech firm specializing in thermal imagery for monitoring water stress in agriculture and mitigating climate change impacts, has secured a $1.9 million contract with the US Air Force. The agreement will enable Hydrosat to provide its thermal satellite data to tackle key challenges within the Department of the Air Force (DAF), aiming to enhance the nation's defense capabilities.
Under this new contract, Hydrosat will deliver advanced cloud and weather prediction services derived from its thermal data, helping to strengthen US national defense. The initiative includes using data from Hydrosat's VanZyl satellites for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the company.
"Hydrosat is honored to deepen our long-standing partnership with the US Air Force through this contract and excited to deliver the US Air Force thermal satellite data from our VanZyl satellites for the first time," said Pieter Fossel, CEO and cofounder of Hydrosat. "This award is significant not only because it is to provide thermal data from our satellites but also because it is Hydrosat's first contract for weather and marks the opening of a new market for the company."
This achievement highlights the importance of Hydrosat's leading thermal data in improving cloud and weather forecasting models for the Department of Defense. The integration of cloud top temperature data into existing models will enhance the Air Force and Space Force's weather modeling capabilities, providing critical support for operational planning aligned with the National Defense Strategy.
The contract represents Hydrosat's fifth agreement with the US Air Force and is the company's largest Air Force contract to date. Additionally, Hydrosat has an ongoing contract with the National Reconnaissance Office, which began in December 2023.
The award falls under the AFWERX Tactical Finance (TACFI) program. AFWERX and the Air Force Research Laboratory collaborate to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, speeding up proposal timelines, expanding small business opportunities, and reducing administrative hurdles. The DAF's Open Topic SBIR/STTR initiative, launched in 2018, broadens the range of innovations eligible for funding.
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