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.
Utah space lab gains R&D work on space-based sensors
The Missile Defense Agency aims to field state-of-the-art space-based sensors. (Image: MDA)
Two deals with a combined value of $1.31 billion cover R&D on advanced space and nuclear prototypes plus space-based sensors for missile defence.
The Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) has been awarded two major military R&D contracts.
Under a $1.01 billion sole-source IDIQ contract from the Space Vehicles Directorate in the US Air Force Research Laboratory, SDL will conduct R&D under the Space & Nuclear Advanced Prototypes, Experiments & Technology (SNAPET) programme.
Work will be completed by 30 November 2026 and includes ‘the research and development of essential engineering support and capability in the areas of sensor and system development, modelling and simulation, experimentation, data analysis and sensor and system validations on space vehicles’, the DoD announced on 10 November.
‘There is congressional interest pertaining to this acquisition,’ the DoD added.
The other sole-source IDIQ contract, also announced on 10 November and worth up to $300 million, was issued by the Missile Defense Agency.
SDL will perform R&D and engineering for ‘state of-the-art and proof-of-concept space-based sensor systems, and advanced technology research and development’, the DoD noted.
The ordering period is from 23 November 2021 until 22 November 2028.
‘At least one task order will be issued shortly after award,’ the DoD added.
SDL is a wholly-owned non-profit subsidiary of Utah State University,
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training]()
-
![EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI]()
EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI
The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.
-
![Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker]()
Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
-
![Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend]()
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
![Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)]()
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
