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MENLO PARK, CA, 30 June 2025 — Today, LeoLabs, the world’s leading mission partner for persistent Orbital Intelligence, announced it has been selected for a $4M Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) opportunity by SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force (USSF). The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is projected to contribute up to $2M, which is matched with $2M in private capital, for a total $4M TACFI effort.
Under the TACFI, LeoLabs will develop and deploy a software upgrade for its expeditionary Scout-class radar—a new, containerized S-band Direct Radiating Array (DRA) the company announced in April—to detect and track foreign launches. LeoLabs will also create a software development plan to upgrade the radar to perform track-while-scan for highly maneuvering objects such as missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles.
Scout radars are designed for mobility, modularity, and rapid deployment and can be easily transported to any location worldwide in response to dynamic Space Domain Awareness (SDA) missions, including monitoring foreign launches. The system can be deployed solo or in dense networks depending on mission requirements.
This TACFI follows LeoLabs’ recent $60M Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) award by SpaceWERX to deploy a Seeker-Class Ultra High Frequency DRA radar in the Indo-Pacific region by 2027.
“Being selected for both a TACFI and a STRATFI within a short timeframe is a powerful vote of confidence in LeoLabs’ ability to deliver persistent Orbital Intelligence for the U.S., its Allies, and partners,” said LeoLabs CEO Tony Frazier. “It also reinforces the urgent need for next-generation radar systems and corresponding advanced software to meet evolving national security challenges and support rapidly evolving SDA requirements.”
The TACFI initiative is open to companies with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contracts awarded within the past two years and strengthens the defense industrial base by accelerating the transition of advanced capabilities to the warfighter. LeoLabs was awarded a SBIR Phase II in 2024 that led to the development of its next-generation Scout-class radar, which will be enhanced with further software development under this TACFI.
About LeoLabs
LeoLabs is the world’s leading mission partner for persistent Orbital Intelligence. We enable military space commands, civil government agencies, and commercial operators to confidently detect, track, characterize, and respond to threats in space. Our proliferated, multi-mission radar network, real-time orbital data catalog, and AI-powered analytics support secure, safe, and dynamic space operations. We are committed to delivering the living map of activity in space that safeguards our way of life on Earth.
About SpaceWERX
As the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX, SpaceWERX inspires and empowers collaboration with innovators to accelerate capabilities and shape our future in space. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SpaceWERX employs 40 military, civilian and contractor personnel executing an annual $457 million budget. Additionally, SpaceWERX partners with Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office (COMSO) as a collaborative program. Since it was aligned under AFRL in Aug. 2021, SpaceWERX has executed 1106 contracts worth more than $897 million to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit spacewerx.us.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at four hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 6,200 new contracts worth more than $4.7 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit afwerx.com.
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.
LeoLabs Press Contact:
Karen Cox
Chief of Corporate Affairs