Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Horizon Technologies releases BlackFish

Defence Security

Horizon Technologies releases BlackFish

Horizon Aerospace Technologies has announced the release of a new airborne SIGINT product, BlackFish, a small airborne qualified, tri-band Sat Phone SIGINT system, which simultaneously monitors the Iridium, Thuraya and Inmarsat (IsatPhone Pro) Sat Phone networks.


Image Horizon Technologies

Due to its small size and weight (8kg), it is ideal for fixed and rotary wing manned and unmanned aircraft. Horizon Technologies’ CEO John Beckner said: “Horizon Technologies has been listening to our customers who want smaller, lighter systems and the ability to simultaneously monitor multiple Sat Phone networks. They also want a common SIGINT product across manned aircraft and UAVs. BlackFish is the answer to these requirements and like all our products is non-ITAR.”

Advertisement
Teledyne

BlackFish uses state-of-the-art technology and is based on a Software Defined Radio (SDR), equipped with powerful CPU and GPU processing capacity, a passively cooled system ensuring maximal reliability and performance. The system has no moving parts which ensures high reliability during operation in extreme conditions. It is fully qualified to DO-160. BlackFish is a completely self-contained Sat Phone monitoring system; it does not require any external peripherals like external RF switching and complex cabling or multiple antennas which impacts the overall reliability of the system. The highly sensitive L-band receiver front-end targets Sat Phone communications and the system offers maximum out of band rejection of interference frequencies while being broadband and having an excellent dynamic range to handle near-far radio scenarios. With our proprietary software, it can be easily integrated into aircraft tactical mission systems to look like one of many ISR sensors.

BlackFish is now in production and Beckner announced: “We will have an actual production version at our stand at DSEI 14-17 September 2021 and will be demonstrating the system’s capabilities. While we are still supporting our legacy FlyingFish products, BlackFish is now our flagship product and we are excited to be selling it to our worldwide government end users in support of their expanding ISR requirements.” Beckner added, “We have demo units available for evaluation anywhere worldwide and we look forward to engaging with our current and future customers to introduce BlackFish as the 'go to' Sat Phone SIGINT solution.”

Advertisement
Leonardo RT

Horizon Aerospace Technologies is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Horizon Technologies, which recently completed its Series A funding round with Maven Capital Partners and Virgin Money.
 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Royal Navy establishes autonomous minesweeping capability

Defence

Royal Navy establishes autonomous minesweeping capability

4 July 2025

The Royal Navy has - for the first time - established an autonomous minesweeping capability, after new systems were delivered to help combat the rapidly evolving threat of naval mines.

Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

4 July 2025

Serco has appointed Keith Williams to the Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair designate.

BAE Systems to continue developing AFRL

Defence

BAE Systems to continue developing AFRL's BATDOK

4 July 2025

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has selected BAE Systems to continue development and support deployment of the Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Operations Kit (BATDOK) via the new Force Optimization through Rapid-prototyping, Gear Enhancements & Innovative Technology (FORGE-IT) programme.

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

Defence Security Space

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

3 July 2025

Boeing has appointed Stephen (Steve) Parker as president and chief executive officer of its Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business, effective immediately.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
Lancashire aims at advancing cyber-enabled defence and security

Defence Security Events

Lancashire aims at advancing cyber-enabled defence and security

3 July 2025

Over 200 senior business leaders, investors, policymakers and academics from across the UK gathered this week at the Lancashire Cyber Festival to discuss Lancashire’s opportunity to become a global leader in cyber-enabled defence and security.

Airframe Designs aligns with US NCAMP standards

Aerospace Defence Security

Airframe Designs aligns with US NCAMP standards

3 July 2025

Airframe Designs has aligned its material systems with the US National Centre for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) which works with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry partners to support its existing testing processes.

Advertisement
Leonardo RT