HawkEye 360
HawkEye 360, founded in September 2015 by Chris DeMay, Charles Clancy, and Bob McGwier, operates a constellation of small RF-collection satellites that geolocate and analyze radio-frequency emissions worldwide.
Profile
Operates a constellation of satellites that detect and geolocate radio-frequency emissions worldwide, providing signals intelligence and spectrum-monitoring data to government and allied defense agencies.
HawkEye 360, founded in September 2015 by Chris DeMay, Charles Clancy, and Bob McGwier, operates a constellation of small RF-collection satellites that geolocate and analyze radio-frequency emissions worldwide. The company went public on May 7, 2026, raising $416 million at $26 per share—the high end of its range—in what market observers called a landmark space IPO. Its flagship RFGeo platform, launched in 2019, allows customers to identify and locate RF signals for signals intelligence applications.
The company also offers SeaVision software for maritime domain awareness and broader spectrum-monitoring capabilities. In January 2026, it deployed Cluster 13, expanding its constellation to 36 operational satellites across 12 clusters. In December 2025, HawkEye 360 acquired Innovative Signal Analysis, a Dallas-based SIGINT systems integrator founded in 1997, merging advanced signal-processing algorithms with its space-based collection.
Revenue more than doubled in 2025: $117.7 million versus $67.6 million in 2024, a 74% year-over-year jump. The company turned profitable for the first time, posting roughly $48,000 in net income in 2025 after a $31.2 million loss in 2024. Its funded backlog stood at $302.7 million at year-end 2025.
U.S. government customers accounted for 61% of 2025 revenue, with Japan representing 16% and other non-U.S. customers 23%. In March 2026, HawkEye 360 won a multi-year European Ministry of Defense electronic-warfare contract worth up to $75 million for air-defense and GPS-interference monitoring. The company is now a public company operating in a high-growth segment of the defense and geospatial-intelligence market, with international expansion underway.
Who buys this
- U.S. Department of Defense and intelligence agencies
- Allied foreign governments and ministries of defense (Japan, European nations)
- Maritime domain awareness operators
- National Reconnaissance Office and signals-intelligence buyers
Publicly disclosed clients
- U.S. Department of Defense
- National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
- Japanese Ministry of Defense
- European Ministry of Defense
Strengths and what to watch
Strengths
- Doubled revenue in 2025 (74% YoY growth) and turned profitable; funded backlog of $302.7M signals continued demand
- Strategic acquisition of Innovative Signal Analysis (Dec 2025) adds advanced signal-processing algorithms and real-time analysis to space collection
- Constellation expansion and military integration: Cluster 13 launched Jan 2026; RF data now flowing into coalition military platforms (Talisman Sabre 2025)
Watch for
- Government customer concentration: 61% of 2025 revenue from U.S. government; budget cuts or policy shifts could pressure growth
- ISA integration execution risk: acquired firm brings legacy SIGINT systems; merging cultures and technologies is mission-critical
- Public-company scrutiny and growth expectations: IPO raised $416M at high end of range; market will watch if backlog converts and profitability scales
Recent moves
- 4mo ago HawkEye 360 IPO raises $416 million, priced at $26 per share; stock jumps 30% on first trading day
- 7mo ago HawkEye 360 wins European Ministry of Defense contract worth up to $75 million for air-defense and GPS-interference monitoring
- 8mo ago HawkEye 360 acquires Innovative Signal Analysis to expand signal-processing and real-time analysis capabilities
- 9mo ago HawkEye 360 closes $150 million Series E funding round from NightDragon, Center15 Capital, and others to fund ISA acquisition
Key Information
- Industry
- Data Sources & APIs
- Founded
- 2015
- Employees
- 267
- Headquarters
- United States
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HawkEye 360 do?
HawkEye 360 operates a constellation of satellites that detect, geolocate, and analyze radio-frequency emissions worldwide. The company provides signals intelligence and spectrum-monitoring data to U.S. government agencies, allied defense ministries, and maritime domain awareness operators. It serves defense and geospatial-intelligence markets.
When did HawkEye 360 go public and at what price?
HawkEye 360 went public on May 7, 2026, pricing at $26 per share, the high end of its range. The IPO raised $416 million. The stock jumped 30% on its first trading day, signaling strong market demand for space-based signals intelligence.
How many satellites does HawkEye 360 operate?
As of January 2026, HawkEye 360 operates 36 satellites organized across 12 clusters globally. The company deployed Cluster 13 in January 2026, continuing constellation expansion. This RF-collection network provides comprehensive worldwide radio-frequency coverage for signals intelligence, spectrum monitoring, and maritime domain awareness operations.
What are HawkEye 360's main products or platforms?
HawkEye 360's flagship RFGeo platform, launched in 2019, identifies and geolocates RF signals for signals intelligence applications worldwide. The company also offers SeaVision software for maritime domain awareness and spectrum monitoring. Both products combine its satellite constellation with advanced signal-processing algorithms from its ISA acquisition.
Who are HawkEye 360's main customers?
HawkEye 360's primary customers are government defense and intelligence agencies. U.S. government customers account for 61% of 2025 revenue. International clients include Japan, European nations, and their ministries of defense. Notable clients are the Department of Defense, National Reconnaissance Office, and Japanese Ministry of Defense.
What recent contract or expansion has HawkEye 360 announced?
In March 2026, HawkEye 360 won a multi-year European Ministry of Defense contract worth up to $75 million for air-defense and GPS-interference monitoring. The deal expands the company's international footprint and validates demand for space-based signals intelligence in allied defense operations.
How HawkEye 360 compares
Direct head-to-head against 2 competitors. Picked by 7wData.
HawkEye 360
- Positioning
- Operates a constellation of satellites that detect and geolocate radio-frequency emissions worldwide, providing signals intelligence and spectrum-monitoring data to government and allied defense agencies.
- Customer segments
- U.S. Department of Defense and intelligence agencies
- Strengths
- Doubled revenue in 2025 (74% YoY growth) and turned profitable; funded backlog of $302.7M signals continued demand
- Watch for
- Government customer concentration: 61% of 2025 revenue from U.S. government; budget cuts or policy shifts could pressure growth
- Recent moves
- HawkEye 360 IPO raises $416 million, priced at $26 per share; stock jumps 30% on first trading day
Unseenlabs
- Positioning
- French space company providing RF-based maritime surveillance and electromagnetic intelligence to navies and allied defense ministries.
- Customer segments
- Navies, allied defense ministries, marine insurers, and shipping operators focused on dark vessel detection and maritime domain awareness.
- Strengths
- Purpose-built maritime RF constellation with 1km geolocation accuracy. French Navy has been a reference customer since the company's founding.
- Watch for
- Constellation remains maritime-only. Next-generation terrestrial-capable satellites are not yet in orbit, limiting appeal to buyers with broader SIGINT needs.
- Recent moves
- Launched BRO-19 satellite March 2026, advancing toward 25-satellite constellation targeting sub-1-hour global revisit time.
Spire Global
- Positioning
- Multi-domain space data company offering weather, AIS, and RF GEOINT products to government and commercial buyers worldwide.
- Customer segments
- U.S. and allied defense agencies, maritime operators, aviation customers, and civil government services seeking multi-domain satellite data.
- Strengths
- 100-plus satellite constellation provides persistent global coverage across RF, weather, and AIS under a single government contract vehicle.
- Watch for
- Revenue declined in Q3 2025 despite contract wins. Operating cash flow break-even is not expected until Q4 2026, signaling execution pressure.
- Recent moves
- Selected for Missile Defense Agency SHIELD IDIQ contract, December 2025, enabling rapid delivery of space-based defense capabilities.
Sources
- www.satellitetoday.com — 2025 revenue ($99M-$117.7M range), profitability ($2.7M net income), funded backlog ($302.7M), IPO filing details and S-1 disclosure
- en.wikipedia.org — Founders (Chris DeMay, Charles Clancy, Bob McGwier), founding date (Sept 16, 2015), RFGeo platform launch date (April 2019), headquarters (Herndon, Virginia), constellation details (36 satellites, 12+ clusters)
- www.prnewswire.com — ISA acquisition announcement (Dec 2025), ISA's founding (1997), signal-processing capabilities and strategic value of acquisition
- www.satellitetoday.com — IPO pricing ($26 per share), total raised ($416M), shares offered (16M), first-day stock performance (30% jump), ticker symbol (HAWK)
- spacenews.com — ISA acquisition details, strategic rationale for combining space collection with signal-processing expertise
- www.prnewswire.com — European Ministry of Defense contract ($75M), air-defense monitoring and GPS-interference monitoring capabilities
- www.glassdoor.com — Employee rating (3.2/5 stars), recommendation rate (54%), business outlook sentiment (52% positive), culture and engineering team feedback
- www.spacedaily.com — Cluster 13 satellite launch and RF coverage expansion capabilities