WASHINGTON — The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected startup company Scout Space to participate in the BRIDGES (Bringing Classified Innovation to Defense and Government Systems) consortium.
Launched by DARPA in 2023, BRIDGES aims to connect innovative small and medium-sized businesses and non-traditional defense contractors with the Department of Defense’s classified research and development activities. The effort seeks to bridge the gap between cutting-edge commercial technologies and classified defense needs, particularly in areas deemed critical to maintaining U.S. military superiority.
Reston, Virginia-based Scout Space develops satellite flight software and space domain awareness sensors. The company announced July 8 that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) had selected a proposal that outlined its approach to “advancing autonomous threat response in space.”
The government agency plans to sponsor a facilities license for Scout, allowing the startup to work in secure areas and access classified networks, and it will be able to attend quarterly meetings and interact directly with security-level government officials.
The BRIDGES initiative is primarily targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises and non-traditional defense contractors, and DARPA is inviting proposals from companies on a range of technology topics.
“We are pleased to support the Department of Defense in developing transformative technologies and look forward to being a strategic partner with the U.S. government,” said Scout Space CEO Philip Hover Smoot.
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Sandra Irwin writes about military space programs, policies, technology and the industry that supports the sector. As editor of NDIA’s National Defence, she has covered the military, the Department of Defence, Parliament and the defence industry for almost 20 years… More articles by Sandra Irwin
