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
-
![Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy]()
Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy
Israel will continue to develop autonomy for its weapons and platforms as it brings together defence personnel, academia and industry.
-
![Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s]()
Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s
Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
-
![AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family]()
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
-
![BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme]()
BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme
DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.
-
![Just Released: Space Technology Report]()
Just Released: Space Technology Report
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
-
![Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality]()
Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality
Defence-secure mixed reality headsets can save hours, or even weeks, of travel time to fix defunct equipment or get subject experts effectively “on-site” where they are needed.
