HawkEye 360 Cluster 15

HawkEye 360 Cluster 15 successfully launched on October 20, 2026, aboard the SpaceX Bandwagon-5 Rideshare from Cape Canaveral in Florida. SFL Missions delivered the HawkEye 360 Cluster 15 spacecraft bus units and subsystems with advanced capabilities to HawkEye 360’s facility in Virginia for assembly, integration, and testing under the SFL Flex Production Program.

As of this launch, a total of 45 operational HawkEye 360 RF geolocation satellites have been developed on SFL spacecraft platforms.

SFL Missions designed an upgraded version of the SFL space-proven 30-kg DEFIANT spacecraft bus specifically for Hawkeye 360 Clusters 15 and 16 to enable new capabilities. One key innovation is a switchable antenna and radio system that allows simultaneous payload collection and downlink of targeted RF signal data. This means the satellites will download payload data in real time to ground receiving stations in theater.

Another advancement on HawkEye 360 Cluster 15 is the addition of drag sail deorbiting technology. Each satellite is equipped with a drag sail that will deploy to deorbit the spacecraft at the end of its mission to reduce debris in orbit. Having first demonstrated a similar drag sail by SFL on the 2017 CanX-7 mission, this technology allows launches at the upper end of rideshare launch altitudes without requiring the expense and complexity of deorbiting propulsion systems.

HawkEye 360 is the global leader in signals intelligence and the first to use formation-flying microsatellites for maritime and terrestrial RF signal detection. This data is analyzed for many sectors, including maritime situational awareness, emergency response, national security, and spectrum mapping. Common defense applications include Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT).

This Cluster adds further depth and coverage to HawkEye 360’s constellation, supporting expanded frequency detection, improved revisit rates, and broader global reach to help meet the growing demand for signals intelligence.

HawkEye 360 selected SFL for its missions due to the importance of robust and accurate attitude control and formation flying by multiple satellites for successful RF geolocation. The HawkEye 360 Constellation is a prime example of how SFL leverages its innovative technology and decades of experience to create low-cost, high-performance small satellites.