Lockheed Martin’s newest technology demonstration, called the Tactical Satellite (TacSat), is complete and ready for launch in 2025 aboard a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket.
At its core, TacSat is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance spacecraft whose mission is to prove specialized sensing and communications capabilities on orbit. As part of this, the satellite will participate in exercises next year that highlight cross-domain kill-web connectivity, enabling timely execution of tactical space missions.
“This area of focus is especially important to the future of space as it becomes a more contested environment,” said Paul Koether, Director of Tactical Space at Lockheed Martin.
“We’re thrilled to be one step closer to displaying game-changing communications and sensing in the ultimate high ground,” he added.
In an increasingly complex space landscape, infrared sensing that provides full situational awareness is key.
TacSat will host a proven Lockheed Martin infrared sensor on board that brings previously developed technology to space for the first time. This sensor produces high quality imagery, and it can interface with federated Battle Management Command & Control (BMC2) combat systems to provide joint forces with a comprehensive view of threats.
The satellite will also feature Lockheed Martin’s first 5G.MIL® payload on orbit. This provides cellular-like networking for military space assets, making satellite constellations more resilient. 5G also enables them to seamlessly connect with tools in the air, at sea and on land.
The power of proliferated connection and influx of actionable data this technology brings will strengthen our customers’ ability to stay ahead of threats on the horizon.
Connection of assets across the globe from above is what’s called space-enabled Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) - a key tenet of the corporation’s 21st Century Security® vision. Once operational, TacSat will be available for on-obit customer exercises in this area; and specifically, it will participate in learning endeavors related to Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, Assess (F2T2EA) missions.
Having successfully completed rigorous environmental testing earlier this summer, TacSat has completed its final checkouts at Lockheed Martin’s Littleton, Colorado, campus. Next up on its road to launch, the satellite will ship out to its launch site in California for final processing ahead of liftoff in 2025.
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. The company’s all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those it serves always stay ahead of ready.
