Weekly GEOINT Community News

SpaceFlight to Launch 11 Satellites in January

Rideshare service provider SpaceFlight announced the launch of 11 spacecraft from India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is planned for early January. Systems to be launched include Finland’s ICEYE-X1 SAR microsatellite, four Spire Global Lemur-2 cubesats, Astro Digital’s Landmapper-BC3, AMSAT’s Fox-1D cubesat, and others. The cubesat integration is already complete and the cargo is currently en route to India where it will await takeoff.

Boundless and Monsanto Partner to Support Open Source Community

Boundless and agriculture company Monsanto announced a partnership to contribute code to the Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial (FOSS4G) community. Among the contributions are: an OAuth Plugin that enables QuantumGIS users to determine what data on the system is accessible to the user; a CKAN plugin for QuantumGIS; and a Geoserver XAuth plugin. These codes will help establish smoother authentication systems and provide easier access to data for open-source users.

General Dynamics Awarded U.S. Air Force Operations Contract

General Dynamics Information Technology won the U.S. Air Force Distributed Mission Operations Center contract for infrastructure, development, and engineering support at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M. The ID/IQ contract is valued at $47 million, and enlists General Dynamics to develop and maintain simulation software and hardware, build network infrastructure, and integrate a live, virtual combat environment for warfighter training.

CACI Wins Army Airborne C4ISR Task Order

CACI International was awarded a $91 million task order to support the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center’s flight activity, primarily focusing on surveillance and communications. CACI will provide systems integration, training support, and electronic and mechanical engineering design services. The company will also test new technologies in areas such as radio frequency, electro-optical, thermal, radar, and acoustic systems.

Avenza Maps Launches in GEOINT App Store

Avenza Systems has partnered with NGA to bring its Avenza Maps offline mapping application to the GEOINT App Store for download by defense and intelligence community users. The app allows users to import and access proprietary or classified maps, and includes unlimited access to the Avenza Map Store’s existing repository of digital maps. User-owned maps can be uploaded to the store for sale at the user’s discretion.

Northrop Grumman Retains Army Logistics Contract

Northrop Grumman will retain its nine-year, $750 million Army logistics services contract for support of aircraft used in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The defense contractor will be responsible for program management, systems engineering, supply chain management, and aircraft modifications and upgrades to 75 ISR aircraft.

Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman