Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Horizon Technologies awarded Transformational Xtender SIGINT Technology Patent

Defence Security

Horizon Technologies awarded Transformational Xtender SIGINT Technology Patent

Horizon Technologies was issued a patent (US 10,727,932 B2) by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on 28th July 2020, covering the company's fundamental Xtender technology, which allows the smallest UAVs and CubeSats to detect, geolocate and intercept Sat Phone communications, remotely, from a miniature software-defined radio.

Image courtesy Horizon Technologies

It is Horizon Technologies’ 2nd registered patent. John Beckner, CEO, stated: “This new patent for our transformational Xtender technology represents a key milestone for Horizon Technologies. Xtender enables the users of even the smallest UAVs to have the same Sat Phone SIGINT capability of larger UAVS and manned aircraft.

Advertisement
Tritax 300x250

"Even more importantly, our patented Xtender technology is one of the building blocks of our Amber CubeSat constellation and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) space-based intelligence system. Our Amber CubeSat constellation, will not only have the ability to geolocate L-band emitters like Sat Phones, but actually allow for the real-time demodulation of the signals. This capability is unique in the emerging field of LEO (Low Earth Orbit) CubeSat-driven SIGINT.

“We also believe that the issuance of this patent enhances Horizon Technologies’ ability to attract financial and industry strategic partners to help further the company’s continuing profitable growth.”

Reading based Horizon Technologies - which also has offices in the USA - provides airborne satellite phone monitoring systems for ISR applications, equipping governments worldwide by enhancing their SIGINT capabilities. They are the OEM for the FlyingFish system which is flying on numerous ISR aircraft worldwide. FlyingFish systems fly daily on missions for NATO and FRONTEX.

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

 

 


 

Advertisement
Tritax leaderboard 728x90 Tritax leaderboard 728x90
Ajax wins Global Project Controls Award

Defence Events

Ajax wins Global Project Controls Award

21 November 2025

The UK’s Ajax armoured fighting vehicle programme has been recognised for excellence in project delivery at the Global Project Controls Expo Awards.

Tyron Runflat appoints Dr Stuart Turner as Director

Defence Security

Tyron Runflat appoints Dr Stuart Turner as Director

21 November 2025

As it enters a new phase of growth and business expansion, Tyron Runflat is welcoming the latest addition to its team with the appointment of technically experienced Director, Dr Stuart Turner.

Spaceflux awarded UK Government space surveillance and tracking contracts

Defence Security Space

Spaceflux awarded UK Government space surveillance and tracking contracts

20 November 2025

UK-based specialist in space domain awareness (SDA) and space intelligence, Spaceflux Ltd, has won all three major multimillion-pound, multiyear UK government contracts to provide advanced space surveillance and tracking (SST) data across multiple orbital regimes.

QinetiQ and Forcys partner on Australian maritime security

Defence Security

QinetiQ and Forcys partner on Australian maritime security

20 November 2025

QinetiQ and Forcys have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen Australia’s sovereign capability in maritime assurance, ensuring undersea and autonomous systems are safe, reliable and ready for operation.

Advertisement
Tritax 300x250
APM survey finds AI driving UK manufacturers

Aerospace Defence

APM survey finds AI driving UK manufacturers' productivity

20 November 2025

UK manufacturers using Artificial Intelligence (AI) are seeing tangible benefits, including a positive impact on productivity and increases in profitability, according to new research.

UK government launches next phase of new munitions and energetics factories

Defence

UK government launches next phase of new munitions and energetics factories

19 November 2025

Multiple sites across the UK for new factories to make munitions and military explosives to boost the UK’s warfighting readiness have been identified as the government moves to the next phase of building the factories of the future.

Advertisement
ODU RT