A non-cooperative “truth layer”

Conventional coastal radar, AIS networks and limited patrol assets leave critical blind spots offshore and in the High North. Vessels can switch off AIS, spoof their identity or position, or operate beyond the reach of shore based sensors. The HRWS-constellation is designed to close these gaps and give decision makers greater confidence in every maritime decision.

By adding a non-cooperative “truth layer” over the maritime picture, HRWS C-band SAR will deliver persistent coverage of vast Areas of Interest, independent of light and weather.

Since radar returns cannot be spoofed simply by turning off a transponder, they provide a trusted way to verify what is at sea and to expose dark or deceptive behaviour.

High-resolution, wide swath C-band SAR

At the core of HRWS C-band SAR is a high resolution, wide swath C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar optimised for open ocean surveillance.

Each satellite can scan hundreds of thousands of square kilometres in a single pass while still focusing on individual vessels as well as small craft with enough detail to support classification and threat assessment.

This blend of wide swath and fine resolution, together with all‑weather, day‑and‑night performance at all latitudes, gives operators reliable situational awareness. It continues to work when optical sensors, crewed aircraft, and drones are constrained by cloud, darkness, or polar conditions.

Track-While-Scan from orbit

The architecture introduces a constellation level Track-While-Scan concept. Rather than acting as isolated satellites, HRWS C‑band SAR units are designed to function as a coordinated orbital radar layer. This shifts the system from static snapshots to real‑time vessel tracking across designated Areas of Interest.

Automated intelligence outputs include precise vessel position, indicators of hull size, course, speed and track history.

Instead of delivering only images, this solution provides structured, machine readable intelligence products that integrate directly into existing operational workflows and C4ISR systems.

AIS correlation and validation

The system fuses non‑cooperative SAR detections with cooperative AIS broadcasts to create a more complete maritime picture.

Onboard AIS receivers correlate vessel signals with radar returns, and automated cross checking exposes dark vessels operating without AIS, spoofed positions and identities, and ghost tracks or other manipulation.

Hence, this fusion creates a more reliable and evidential maritime picture, suitable for operational use as well as legal and compliance cases such as sanctions enforcement, embargo monitoring and countering shadow fleets.

C4ISR ready outputs

From day one, HRWS C-band SAR is designed to integrate with modern defence, security and government systems.

Standardised, secure interfaces provide C4ISR ready outputs and data products tailored for maritime operations centres, joint and combined headquarters, as well as national MDA and intelligence systems. Users will therefore spend less time transforming data and more time acting on it.

Persistent reach where it matters most 

Deploying additional satellites will increase revisit rates over priority regions. These include Arctic and North Atlantic sea lanes, as well as other high‑value maritime zones such as the Norwegian and Barents Seas, Baltic Sea approaches, the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the northern and western maritime regions of Australia.

The constellation will also focus on critical maritime chokepoints and straits, as well as areas around seabed infrastructure, LNG terminals and key ports.

This persistent reach enables early detection of anomalous or potentially hostile activity, continuous surveillance of patterns of life in sensitive maritime domains, and assured ISR coverage in regions where ground or airborne assets are scarce or constrained by weather.

Force multiplier for maritime assets

No Vessel Unseen capability is not intended to replace ships patrol aircraft or other space assets; it is designed to make them far more effective. By directing space, air and naval assets to real points of interest, it reduces time and cost spent searching and increases time spent interdicting, inspecting and deterring.

As a strategic surveillance layer, it delivers coverage at significantly lower cost and risk than attempting to achieve comparable reach with airborne platforms alone.

Security and defence missions

No Vessel Unseen is purpose‑designed to support a broad spectrum of security and defence missions. It helps detect dark vessels and AIS spoofing, supports sanctions and embargo enforcement against shadow fleets, and monitors grey zone activity, covert logistics and suspicious patterns of life.

By improving the quality and timeliness of the maritime picture, the platform enhances fleet effectiveness and supports stronger maritime domain control, including in contested waters.

Civil and environmental applications

With its dual use profile, HRWS C-band SAR also addresses wider governmental as well as environmental needs. It can extend fisheries surveillance far beyond the range of coastal radar, support search and rescue operations by rapidly building scene awareness in harsh environments, and assist in oil spill and pollution monitoring through early detection and wide area follow up.

This combination of defence, civil and environmental value makes it a compelling investment for Norway and allied nations.