Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch
TacSat will participate in upcoming cross-domain exercises. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The tactical satellite (TacSat) is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system and will participate in exercises in 2025.
Lockheed Martin’s TacSat, a self-funded effort to demonstrate space-based cross-linked communications and sensing capabilities, has completed development and will be launched in 2025.
TacSat is an ISR spacecraft with a mission to prove specialised sensing and communications capabilities on orbit.
The satellite will participate in exercises next year designed to highlight cross-domain kill-web connectivity, enabling the timely execution of tactical space missions. It will be launched on Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket.
Related Articles
L3 Harris completes review of satellite communications payloads
Orbit awarded $9.1 million from Israeli MoD for satellite communications
TacSat will host a Lockheed Martin infrared sensor onboard to provide high quality imagery. The system interfaces with federated Battle Management Command & Control (BMC2) combat systems to provide joint forces with a comprehensive view of threats.
It will feature Lockheed Martin’s first 5G.MIL payload on orbit to provide cellular-like networking for military space assets, making satellite constellations more resilient. It should also enable multidomain connectivity.
Lockheed Martin noted: “Space-enhanced Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) will enable the global connection of our nation and allies’ military assets.
“Once operational on orbit, TacSat will be available for customer exercises, including learning endeavours related to Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, Assess (F2T2EA) missions.”
Paul Koether, director of tactical space at Lockheed Martin, said: “This area of focus is especially important to the future of space as it becomes a more contested environment.”
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
-
![Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training]()
Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
