Cluster 16 launched aboard Rocket Lab's Electron rocket as part of the dedicated mission, "We're Not Hawking Around," from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. Following deployment into an inclined orbit, HawkEye 360's space operations team successfully established communications with all three satellites and began the commissioning process.
The launches of Clusters 15 and 16, deployed just three days apart from launch sites on opposite sides of the world, demonstrate HawkEye 360's ability to manage a complex global launch cadence. With rideshare capacity increasingly constrained, the Company has secured launch opportunities through 2028 to maintain constellation continuity, preserve flexibility, and support evolving customer mission requirements.
Cluster 16 also includes advanced antenna capabilities supporting the simultaneous collection of multiple RF signal types and mission data downlink. Together, Clusters 15 and 16 are the first HawkEye 360 satellites designed with this capability, increasing collection opportunity while enabling faster delivery of mission data to customers.
Cluster 16 will provide dedicated capacity in support of a HawkEye 360 customer, demonstrating the Company's ability to configure and operate its space-based collection architecture around defined customer requirements and specific operational priorities.
The three satellites will operate in formation to detect, characterize and geolocate RF signals from space. Once commissioning is complete, Cluster 16 will expand HawkEye 360's capacity to support defense, intelligence and security missions with timely, shareable signals intelligence.