George Guy Thomas, Maritime Surveillance Pioneer and Satellite AIS Inventor, Joins Sirotin Intelligence Board of Advisors

Sirotin Intelligence is honored to welcome Commander George Guy Thomas (USN, Ret.) to its Board of Advisors. Thomas, the inventor of Satellite Automatic Identification System (S-AIS) technology and architect of the global C-SIGMA framework, brings over six decades of expertise in maritime security, intelligence operations, and space-based surveillance systems.

"Welcoming Guy Thomas to our Board of Advisors represents a pivotal moment for Sirotin Intelligence," said Angelica Sirotin, CEO of Sirotin Intelligence. "His revolutionary work in maritime surveillance and unparalleled operational experience across naval and space domains will be instrumental in enhancing our analysis of space-based maritime security systems. Guy's vision of making the oceans transparent through space technology transformed global maritime security, and we're honored to have his strategic guidance as we continue to deliver critical intelligence at the intersection of space and maritime domains."

Thomas is the visionary behind one of the most transformative technologies in maritime security. Following 9/11, when the Navy was tasked with examining maritime terrorism vulnerabilities, Thomas identified a critical gap: no one was effectively tracking ships approaching U.S. shores. Drawing on his unique background in classified space systems, Thomas proposed repurposing the Automatic Identification System (AIS), originally designed as a collision avoidance tool, into a global tracking system monitored from space.

Despite skepticism that such a system would work, Thomas persisted through a 27-month quest for funding and overcame numerous technical and bureaucratic challenges. His efforts culminated in the 2008 launch of the first S-AIS satellites. Today, more than 230 Satellite AIS receivers orbit Earth, tracking nearly every legal vessel on the world's oceans—a capability that experts have described as "the most significant paradigm shift in the maritime world since radar, the steam engine, or the screw propeller."

Thomas's distinguished naval career is equally remarkable. As one of the Navy's first Space Operations Specialists, he achieved the unique distinction of being the only person qualified in surface ships, submarines, reconnaissance aircraft, and space operations. His service includes combat deployments on missile cruisers during Vietnam, classified submarine missions, and dangerous reconnaissance flights in hostile airspace.

Following his naval career, Thomas made significant contributions to national maritime security policy, including authoring the initial draft of the National Strategy for Maritime Security and Implementation Task #1 of the 2010 U.S. National Space Policy. He developed the C-SIGMA (Collaboration in Space for International Global Maritime Awareness) framework, which integrates unclassified space-based systems to enhance international maritime situational awareness.

Currently, Thomas serves as Chairman of the Maritime Situational Awareness Working Group within NATO ACT Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence and advises the NATO Maritime Security Centre of Excellence in Istanbul, Turkey.

His appointment to Sirotin Intelligence's Board of Advisors brings unparalleled expertise in maritime surveillance and space-based intelligence systems at a time when integrated solutions are increasingly critical for addressing complex maritime security challenges.