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what is dual use

The Shared Power of Dual Use

3 min read

Dual use refers to technologies or products that serve both civilian and military needs. A drone may inspect crops on Monday and track smuggling routes on Tuesday. A satellite may support commercial logistics one week and flood response the next. This overlap is not accidental. It is designed.

SkyFi operates at this intersection. The platform gives users access to satellite imagery and geospatial data that are used daily by commercial teams and, in urgent moments, by the U.S. military. Dual use is not a side note for SkyFi. It is core to how the company works.

How Does SkyFi Fit Into Dual Use?

SkyFi supports mission-critical operations for both public and private sectors. On one end, engineers use the platform to assess infrastructure. On the other, SkyFi supports U.S. Space Force taskings through the Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking Program (TacSRT). These are real-world missions with short timelines and strategic stakes.

SkyFi has delivered satellite imagery and analytics for humanitarian evacuations, wildfire tracking, and maritime monitoring. These are not long research projects. They are fast, high-stakes orders fulfilled within hours. In one case, SkyFi provided imagery after floods in Argentina to support aid efforts. In another, the platform helped assess blocked roads following an earthquake in Myanmar. This is the operational side of dual use.

What Are Other Examples of Dual Use?

SkyFi is one example in a wider field of dual-use tools:

1. AI and Data Platforms

  • Used for fraud detection and cyber defense.

  • Also used to sort sensor data for battlefield awareness.

2. Robotics and Drones

  • Support commercial deliveries and precision agriculture.

  • Also carry supplies for military units in rough terrain.

3. Sensors and Imaging

  • Track pipelines and industrial equipment.

  • Also detect surface disruptions or hidden movements.

4. Communications and Infrastructure Tools

  • Manage logistics in shipping or trucking.

  • Also support disaster response and troop movements.

In every case, the same core tool adapts to multiple domains.

What Does the Market Say About Dual Use?

Investment in dual-use tech is rising fast. U.S. defense-related venture funding reached $31 billion in 2024. Q1 of 2025 brought $1.4 billion across 27 deals. In Europe, venture and private equity deals in this space totaled $36.8 billion last year.

This is not hype. It is a shift. Startups like SkyFi show that the same tools can support defense planning and commercial operations. That flexibility is valuable.

FAQ

What makes SkyFi a dual-use company?

SkyFi provides commercial geospatial tools that are also used for defense missions like TacSRT taskings and humanitarian aid support.

Can anyone access the same imagery used in defense work?

Yes. The same imagery used for military taskings is available through SkyFi’s public platform.

What are the benefits of dual-use tech?

It reduces duplication, shortens deployment timelines, and expands access across sectors.

Does dual-use tech need regulation?

Yes. Many dual-use products are subject to export controls and compliance requirements.

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