The Power of Consistency: Showing Up Every Day is Half the Battle
The Chemical Connection: Getting the Best from Your Cupric Chloride Etchant
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘Born to Create’
Lockheed Martin’s Newest Technology Demo for Space Connectivity Is Ready for Launch
December 10, 2024 | Lockheed MartinEstimated reading time: 1 minute
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.
TacSat is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance spacecraft with a mission to prove specialized sensing and communications capabilities on orbit. 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.”
What’s On Board?
In an increasingly complex battlespace, infrared sensing can be a decisive edge providing more complete situational awareness for allied forces.
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. It also helps enable seamless connectivity 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.
The Bigger Picture
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 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.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Lockheed Martin Wins MK-48 Mod 7 Guidance and Control System Contract Extension
12/09/2024 | Lockheed MartinThe U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has awarded Lockheed Martin a $245 million dollar contract extension for the MK-48 Guidance and Control (G&C) Mod 7 program.
Lockheed Martin’s Latest Space-Bound LM 400 Tech Demonstration Set to Launch in 2025
11/29/2024 | Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin announced continued investment in its technology demonstrations with the upcoming launch of the LM 400, a new mid-sized, common, multi-mission space vehicle. It has completed testing and is currently preparing to embark on its journey on a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket in the first half of 2025.
Skunk Works Demonstrates Airborne Battle Management of AI-Controlled Aircraft
11/27/2024 | Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin Skunk Works, in partnership with Lockheed Martin's Demonstrations and Prototypes organization and the University of Iowa's Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL), showcased a crewed-uncrewed teaming mission where an airborne battle manager issued real-time commands to AI-controlled aircraft through a touchscreen pilot vehicle interface (PVI).
Romania Becomes the 20th Member of the F-35 Global Alliance
11/21/2024 | Lockheed MartinThe Government of Romania confirmed today its intent to procure 32 Lockheed Martin 5th Generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft by signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) through a U.S. government Foreign Military Sale.
U.S. Army Awards Lockheed Martin Contract to Increase PAC-3 MSE Production Capacity
11/14/2024 | Lockheed MartinThe U.S. Army recently awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to support increasing production capacity to 650 Patriot Advanced Capability – 3 (PAC-3®) Missile Segment Enhancements (MSEs)per year.