Umbra Advances U.S. Intelligence with NRO Contract Reinforcement in SAR Technologies

Umbra Chosen for NRO's Strategic Commercial Enhancements Stage III

Introduction

On December 4, 2024, Umbra, a pioneer in space technology known for operating the highest-resolution commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites globally, made headlines by securing the Stage III option of the National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) Commercial Radar Capabilities contract. This monumental achievement forms part of the NRO's Strategic Commercial Enhancements initiative, aimed at bolstering the U.S. overhead intelligence framework with advanced commercial solutions in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

Importance of Stage III

Building on the successes of Stage II, this new phase emphasizes enhancing SAR data delivery to meet critical U.S. Government needs, such as disaster management, environmental observations, and crisis response strategies. Umbra's capabilities have been validated in earlier stages, and the company is now positioned to further integrate its domestic SAR capabilities into the broader ISR architecture utilized by the U.S. Government.

Remarks from Umbra's Leadership

Omar Wheatley, the Director for Strategic Programs at Umbra, noted, "Advancing to Stage III marks a pivotal moment for the evolution of Umbra's SAR capabilities. We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with the NRO and to continue providing our industry-leading high-quality SAR data, which is crucial for the nation’s intelligence and defense initiatives."

The CEO, David Langan, added, "Umbra's SAR satellites gather up to five times more data than other service providers, delivering unmatched value at a competitive cost. As a purely American enterprise, we are committed to ensuring that taxpayer funds are utilized effectively while providing the most reliable and high-quality data to the NRO."

Umbra's Established Relationship with NRO

Umbra's relationship with the NRO is not new; the company was previously selected for the Stage II option of the Commercial Radar Capabilities contract in late 2022 and had also secured another Stage II option in early 2024 focused on Commercial RF capabilities. Recently, Umbra was recognized in the 2024 Commercial Remote Sensing Global Rankings, where it achieved the top spot for SAR data quality globally and second for SAR persistence.

Umbra's Innovation in Remote Sensing

Since its inception in 2015, Umbra has carved a niche in the remote sensing industry, consistently introducing groundbreaking SAR imaging technologies and patented satellite solutions adept at providing comprehensive monitoring under any weather condition, day or night. The company continues to ascend in reliability, precision, and intelligence collection, significantly aiding government and commercial enterprises in achieving their operational objectives.

About Umbra

Operating out of Santa Barbara, California, with additional presences in Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C., Umbra is a vertically integrated space technology company that delivers satellite technology solutions along with intelligence data services to both commercial and governmental clients. Its innovative products are designed to tackle complex environmental, security, and business challenges.

For more information about Umbra and their cutting-edge technologies, visit umbra.space.

For media inquiries, reach out to Jon Galpern at Umbra Media Relations or call 805-618-4407.