Sumitomo Corporation invests in HawkEye 360, operator of commercial satellites that monitor radio signals

Sumitomo Corporation (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masayuki Hyodo) has, through the Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (Head office: New York, USA; General Manager: Shingo Ueno) (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Sumitomo Corporation Group”), invested in HawkEye 360 Inc. (Head office: Virginia, USA; CEO: John Serafini; hereinafter, “HE”), which provides geospatial information using commercial satellites that monitor radio signals.

Currently, many private companies provide geospatial information, especially satellite images, using satellites. However, there have been no existing services that provide information using commercial satellites that monitor radio signals.
HE is the first private company to provide geospatial information using satellites that monitor radio signals. The company plans to launch a test satellite in the second half of 2018 and start collecting radio signal information. HE then plans to roll out a service (hereinafter, “this service”) to monitor radio signals.

This service catches radio signals sent from the target of observation, through a constellation of small satellites in Low Earth orbit (LEO), and identifies the location and other information of the target through radio signal analysis and artificial intelligence. Ships, aircraft, transceivers, and others send unique radio signals. By catching these radio signals and having the artificial intelligence system learn the vast amount of radio signal patterns, the target of observation can be discerned. It is possible to identify the location of the target, as well as recognize the object or perceive signs of malfunctions.

HE provides geospatial information using commercial satellites that monitor radio signals, which has potential for growth in the future. By investing in HE, the Sumitomo Corporation Group will utilize the innovative service provided by HE and provide additional value especially to existing clients in aerospace and other industries. Synergies with various businesses at the Sumitomo Corporation Group will be pursued going forward.
The Sumitomo Corporation Group will continue to grasp the changing needs of society to contribute to the development of various industries around the world, through investment in companies with innovative technology.

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■Material issues for Sumitomo Corporation
The Sumitomo Corporation Group has defined the “Six Material Issues to Achieve Sustainable Growth with Society” as an important factor in developing business strategies and in the decision-making process for individual businesses. Going forward, we will pursue sustainable growth by resolving these issues through our business activities. This project should prove especially beneficial in “Contributing to the Development of Local Communities and Industries” and “Establishing a Foundation for Comfortable and Enriching Lifestyles.”