SDA’s latest Tracking Layer contract includes 6 ‘fire control’ sats

SDA’s latest Tracking Layer contract includes 6 ‘fire control’ sats
SDA’s latest Tracking Layer contract includes 6 ‘fire control’ sats

An SDA official explained that the six “preliminary fire control” satellites in Tracking Layer Tranche 2 will carry a mix of wide-field-of-view and medium-field-of-view infrared cameras.

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Optical communications, i.e. lasers, are the network pipes for the Internet of Space

Optical communications, i.e. lasers, are the network pipes for the Internet of Space
Optical communications, i.e. lasers, are the network pipes for the Internet of Space

A new constellation with laser comms and compatibility with the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture is now taking shape.

For space, two steps forward, one step back: 2023 in review

For space, two steps forward, one step back: 2023 in review
For space, two steps forward, one step back: 2023 in review

The Space Force has made some visible progress in its “pivot” towards resiliency, but acquisition reform remains a hard slog.

DoD needs near-term, ‘persistent’ INDOPACOM hypersonic missile tracking: CSIS

DoD needs near-term, ‘persistent’ INDOPACOM hypersonic missile tracking: CSIS
DoD needs near-term, ‘persistent’ INDOPACOM hypersonic missile tracking: CSIS

“The key word here is persistence,” study author Masao Dahlgren told Breaking Defense. “How do we get persistence over the regions we care about? That hasn’t been as explicitly put into prior work until now. This report puts into sharp relief.”

Space Development Agency, Army cooperating on alternates to GPS sat signals

Space Development Agency, Army cooperating on alternates to GPS sat signals
Space Development Agency, Army cooperating on alternates to GPS sat signals

SDA Director Derek Tournear said next year his organization will begin launching the Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites for regional communications, which also will carry a “navigation message” embedded in their venerable Link 16 data links.

Space-BACN sizzling along as DARPA awards Phase 2 contracts in laser link project

Space-BACN sizzling along as DARPA awards Phase 2 contracts in laser link project
Space-BACN sizzling along as DARPA awards Phase 2 contracts in laser link project

Long-range, high-speed optical communications will be critical for the service’s plans for a “hybrid architecture” that would see networks of old and new military satellites, as well as commercial and allied networks, all communicating seamlessly to shift vast quantities of data around the world in near real-time.

SDA demos first-ever space-to-ground Link 16 connection

SDA demos first-ever space-to-ground Link 16 connection
SDA demos first-ever space-to-ground Link 16 connection

“We truly have demonstrated that the vision of JADC2 and the vision of the Joint Fires Network is a reality and we can do it,” SDA Director Derek Tournear told Breaking Defense.

Space Force orders 21 new National Security Space Launches: 11 to ULA, 10 to SpaceX

Space Force orders 21 new National Security Space Launches: 11 to ULA, 10 to SpaceX
Space Force orders 21 new National Security Space Launches: 11 to ULA, 10 to SpaceX

The planned launches, which will take place starting in FY26, include sending a second SILENTBARKER watchdog satellite jointly developed by the service and the National Reconnaissance Office to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO).  

Northrop Grumman wins $732M SDA contract for global constellation

Northrop Grumman wins $732M SDA contract for global constellation
Northrop Grumman wins $732M SDA contract for global constellation

The contract includes 36 Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Alpha satellites and supporting ground elements, as well as five years of operations and sustainment.

SDA gets OK to begin limited testing of data satellites Link 16 nodes

SDA gets OK to begin limited testing of data satellites Link 16 nodes
SDA gets OK to begin limited testing of data satellites Link 16 nodes

The Space Development Agency has won International Telecommunication Union approval to test the Transport Layer birds over international waters and the territory of an unnamed allied nation.

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Facing air and missile threats from all sides, the Army’s LTAMDS 360° radar sees all

Facing air and missile threats from all sides, the Army’s LTAMDS 360° radar sees all
Facing air and missile threats from all sides, the Army’s LTAMDS 360° radar sees all

Six LTAMDS radars are being tested in parallel to speed this transformational warfighting capability to U.S. Army and international air defense forces.

Pentagon efforts challenged by ‘immature’ hypersonics tech, supply chain

Pentagon efforts challenged by ‘immature’ hypersonics tech, supply chain
Pentagon efforts challenged by ‘immature’ hypersonics tech, supply chain

Despite the current supply chain obstacles, the Army is confident it can fully field the first Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) units by the end of this calendar year, said Chris Mills of the service’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office.

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Laser comms in orbit underpin Space Force’s Transport and Tracking layers for data and missile warning

Laser comms in orbit underpin Space Force’s Transport and Tracking layers for data and missile warning
Laser comms in orbit underpin Space Force’s Transport and Tracking layers for data and missile warning

With mission experience and partnerships across the space industry, Northrop Grumman is executing the Space Development Agency’s vision for speed, delivery, and agility.

GEOST sensors to detect interference will fly on SDA satellites

GEOST sensors to detect interference will fly on SDA satellites
GEOST sensors to detect interference will fly on SDA satellites

The company also is providing a ground system for the sensors that could provide data about interference threats to users across the Defense Department and Intelligence Community, said Josh Hartman of GEOST’s parent firm.