The Andromeda IDIQ contract vehicle will fund a replacement for the current GSSAP on-orbit inspection satellites as well as the classified SILENTBARKER space surveillance birds.
The service has tapped 14 firms to compete for rolling task orders through April 2036 under the Andromeda program, formerly known as RG-XX.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping adversarial cyber operations at machine speed, requiring defenders to increase operational tempo while imposing pain and cost.
Under the new GHOST-R effort, the Defense Innovation Unit hopes to have a high-resolution bird operating on orbit within 24 months.
Space Systems Command intends to issue task orders to qualified vendors annually based on funding and operational needs, said Col. Byron McClain, SSC program executive officer for Space Combat Power.
Interested firms have until Jan. 9 to respond to a Space Force request for information about new wide-field-of-view cameras for a SILENTBARKER replacement constellation.
Space Systems Command expects to issue a draft request for proposal by the end of the calendar year, a Space Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense.
As missions stretch farther and comms grow less reliable, predictive software could become the edge that keeps missions afloat.