Europe · Orbital AI reconnaissance platform
This project focuses on using AI to process reconnaissance data in orbit.
Helsing and OHB announced KIRK, a joint venture and consortium with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and HENSOLDT to develop software-centric space systems for tactical surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting. The disclosed computing scope includes AI-based targeting, real-time onboard and offboard processing, multi-sensor fusion and automated target recognition. The announcement establishes a development partnership, not an awarded procurement or deployed system.
KIRK joint venture (Helsing and OHB) · In development — joint venture and consortium announced
Scope: Mission-specific processing · Processing primarily serves the mission’s own sensing, navigation or data workload.
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Technical specifications not disclosed
Figures retain their disclosed units and scope. Launched hardware does not establish demonstrated performance; targets may change. Not disclosed means no figure in the reviewed sources.
KIRK consortium contribution covering AI-based targeting, real-time onboard and offboard processing, multi-sensor fusion and automated target recognition.
Company-assigned consortium contribution; no legal buyer, procurement award, delivery contract, price or achieved in-orbit performance is disclosed.
Announced 19 May 2026 · Evidence checked 29 Sept 2026
Helsing and OHB Establish Joint Venture "KIRK" for Tactical Reconnaissance from Space - ohb.de (opens in a new tab)KIRK consortium contribution covering space-qualified all-weather sensors, precision electro-optical systems and mobile ground stations.
Company-assigned consortium contribution; no legal buyer, procurement award, delivery contract, payload manifest or price is disclosed.
Announced 19 May 2026 · Evidence checked 29 Sept 2026
Helsing and OHB Establish Joint Venture "KIRK" for Tactical Reconnaissance from Space - ohb.de (opens in a new tab)KIRK consortium contribution covering small satellites, secure communications, C4ISR integration and access to the global KSAT network.
Company-assigned consortium contribution; the reference to the KSAT network does not establish KSAT as a contracting party. No legal buyer, procurement award, delivery contract or price is disclosed.
Announced 19 May 2026 · Evidence checked 29 Sept 2026
Helsing and OHB Establish Joint Venture "KIRK" for Tactical Reconnaissance from Space - ohb.de (opens in a new tab)KIRK consortium contribution covering implementation and operation of turnkey end-to-end space systems and advanced payloads.
Company-assigned consortium contribution; no legal buyer, procurement award, delivery contract, satellite count, launch schedule or price is disclosed.
Announced 19 May 2026 · Evidence checked 29 Sept 2026
Helsing and OHB Establish Joint Venture "KIRK" for Tactical Reconnaissance from Space - ohb.de (opens in a new tab)Manual review 29 Oct 2026. Compared OHB's May 19 announcement and current record. Saved planned software-defined processing and secure ground-network architecture. Existing four partner roles are adequate. Processor, RAM, power and link rates remain undisclosed. Primary body last observed 18 Oct, 03:44 UTC. Source monitoring: ongoing. Source collection and substantive profile review are separate checks. Plans and dates may change.
OHB (opens in a new tab)Verified announcements and milestones linked to this project, newest first.
Helsing and OHB announced the KIRK joint venture and a consortium with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and HENSOLDT for AI-enabled tactical space reconnaissance; this is a development announcement, not a launch or operational milestone.
