The shift was recommended by the Space Force in order to protect the service’s high-priority efforts, sources told Breaking Defense.
By Theresa HitchensIn EMSO, the small stuff matters
With electromagnetic warfare evolving at an unprecedented pace, the smallest details can make the biggest impact—discover how material science innovations are shaping the future of EMSO and ensuring mission success.
SDA originally had hoped to begin launching the Tranche 1 Transport and Tracking Layer constellations for its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture stationed in low Earth orbit in September 2024.
By Theresa Hitchens
The Space Development Agency “has taken steps to develop laser communications technology but has not yet fully demonstrated it in space,” finds a report released today by the Government Accountability Office.
By Theresa Hitchens
The court filings do not provide a proposed schedule for the new bid process, but do reveal that it will be managed by officials who were not involved in overseeing the original contract awards.
By Theresa Hitchens
The first planned prototype orders using HALO will “reduce risk and demonstrate feasibility of proliferation for future tactical data links and optical communication missions,” the Space Development Agency said.
By Theresa Hitchens
“The expectation is that we will bounce between those constellations in the same flight, so we’ll move between them. Now, I don’t think anybody should be guaranteeing that on flight one,” said AFRL’s head engineer for Global Lightning Brian Beal. “We’re going to improve as we go and get to that, but that is the goal of the program.”
By Theresa Hitchens
Tournear said that the optical intersatellite link demonstration was final success in a trifecta of baseline challenges to SDA’s plan to network hundreds of military satellites in LEO, as well as to eventually to integrate commercial satellites into the mix.
By Theresa Hitchens
How L3Harris is empowering the U.S. Space Force to stay ahead
How cutting-edge technology from L3Harris is enabling rapid data processing—and faster, more informed decisions in space defense operations.
The delay in the review, however, is not expected to impact the planned delivery schedule, an Air Force spokesperson said. That said, neither the Pentagon nor the NRO has revealed the hoped-for schedule.
By Theresa Hitchens
“By the end of next year, we’ll have 126 Link 16 satellites that are operational on orbit,” said SDA Director Derek Tournear.
By Theresa Hitchens
SDA is asking for $357 million for FY25 launch services, down from the nearly $530 million in FY24. Those funds would pay to manifest four planned launches of the Tranche 2 Transport Layer satellites in 2027.
By Theresa Hitchens
“We need a budget to be able to continue to fund this,” said Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear. “We always assume there will be a continuing resolution for a few months, but not six to 12.”
By Michael Marrow
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.
By Theresa Hitchens “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.
By Theresa Hitchens
The contract includes 36 Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Alpha satellites and supporting ground elements, as well as five years of operations and sustainment.
By Theresa Hitchens
