The Protected Tactical Satellite Communications-Global awards are representative of a wider shift in Space Force acquisition strategy aimed at using commercial tech to speed new capabilities to the field.
The satellites carry a handful of different payloads, including the two US Space Force Enhanced Polar System-Recapitalization jam-resistant communication payloads, an X-band communications payload for Norway's Ministry of Defence, and a Ka-band payload for commercial firm Viasat.
Knowing when to build on commercial systems and when to develop something new can be the difference between parity and information dominance.
Maj. Gen. Michael Greiner said that the Space Force's initial plans are to develop four new Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global satellites, although those plans could change as the program is a new start for FY25.
The plan is designed not just to improve Luxembourg's military space capabilities, but also specifically to improve defense cooperation with the US by "jointly exploiting" the new SES satellites.
The Space Force's goal is to create a resilient SATCOM architecture by using multiple types of satellites with better encryption and dispersed over various orbits to flummox adversary jamming attempts — with US national security planners fully expecting sophisticated electronic warfare attacks against satellites in future conflicts.
The HASC policy bill covers everything from commercial space situational awareness to on-orbit servicing to responsive launch.
Why edge and endpoint security can’t be an afterthought.
Gen. Jay Raymond, Space Force chief, stressed that the new digital vision applies not just to service acquisition, but to everything the newest military service does, with a bottom-line goal of speeding decision-making.
"If you try to life-extend a weapon system that was built before the invention of the Internet, and then turn around and ask me why it's not cyber-secure -- I don't know how," Adm. Charles Richard told SASC today.
NC3 is "the last line of communication capabilities and associated equipment that we know will always be there during our worst day," explains Air Force Lt. Gen. James Dawkins, deputy CSAF for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration.
SDA currently is primarily focused on "beyond-line-of-sight targeting for sensitive targets -- so, for ships and mobile missiles," Director Derek Tournear says, as well as for "advanced missile threats."
Reducing cognitive overload on warfighters while improving “time to trust” for autonomous systems is a matter of design.
"Things never go as planned," cautions Rick Ambrose, Lockheed Martin's executive VP for space.
"Advanced manufacturing, scaled across the entire Air Force and Space Force, will transform sustainment," Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett says.
"At the end of the day, anyone who's using satellite communications doesn't really care where that information comes from," Lt. Gen. William Liquori says.
The MQ-9 Reaper drone is the big winner in the 2021 NDAA markup by HASC Chair Adam Smith, receiving a whopping $108 million increase above the $29.5 million request.