Digital Battlespace

SEAKR develops avionics system for Blackjack Phase 2 and Phase 3

15th March 2021 - 17:00 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

RSS

Pit Boss autonomous mission system for DARPA/USSF small satellite programme comprises a high-speed processor and encryption devices.

DARPA has awarded SEAKR Engineering a $60.49 million contract for work on Phases 2 and 3 of the Blackjack programme.

Phase 2 of Blackjack covers testing of a space-based payload, while Blue Canyon Technologies is building six satellites under the Phase 3 contract awarded in February 2021.

SEAKR will develop the Pit Boss autonomous mission system for Blackjack, comprising a high-speed processor and encryption devices that each payload will connect to.

Work will be performed in Centennial, Colorado, with an estimated completion date of March 2022.

As a joint initiative between DARPA and the US Space Force (USSF), Blackjack is intended to result in a constellation of up to 20 small high-speed autonomous satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), providing the DoD with highly connected, resilient and persistent overhead coverage.

The first two satellites in the Blackjack constellation are scheduled for launch in late 2021.

As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.