Optimized RF Connectivity in Multi-Layered Communications and Sensing Networks

Project OWL provides rapidly deployable meshed networks in communication challenged or denied environments. Project OWL has designed, developed, and deployed durable hardware units strategically designed to withstand harsh environments and operate for long periods of time.   These novel capabilities, combined with the system's affordable price-tag, make it a very valuable solution for those operating in challenging, remote environments.  For these reasons, among others, Project OWL has received interest from the DoD and national security partners to deploy the system in their use cases. Project OWL executed Field Test Houston, Texas in June 2019. The purpose of the Houston project was to improve the challenges identified in Field Test Puerto Rico. These included improving efficiency of deployment, scaling a larger network, and reducing network errors.  Project OWL technology significantly improved across each of these metrics during the Houston deployment.  Today, Project OWL’s deployed networks stream 10,000 data points every 24 hours across dozens of permanent, solar powered devices., Project OWL has also received interest from DoD and national security partners for its meshed network solutions, particularly from the US armed forces. In Spring 2019, the team was selected by OSD’s Rapid Reaction Technology Office (RRTO) to present their solution at a unique pitch event attended by ~50 Government and DoD program managers with requirements aligned to their capabilities. The capability was well received by government stakeholders and a number of leads for future business was made through the event.  In addition, Project OWL met with Naval Special Forces (NSW) in July 2019 to demonstrate their capability to create rapid meshed networks in denied environments. Project OWL competed in a New York City technology competition sponsored by the National Security Technology Accelerator MD5 (now NSIN).  Through the event, Project OWL explored use cases in Special Forces, the Army, FEMA, and the Air Force.  Project OWL received $15,000 from MD5 as a first-place winner in this competition to continue development for the military.  Currently, Project OWL has deployed hundreds of DuckLink devices (TRL 7) across the United States, including 25 permanent solar powered devices in Puerto Rico in October 2019.