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 whose mission is to prove specialized sensing and communications capabilities in orbit. Next year, the satellite will participate in exercises 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.”
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 in 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 the influx of actionable data this technology brings will strengthen our customers’ ability to stay ahead of threats on the horizon.
Space-enhanced Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) will enable the global connection of our nation and allies’ military assets. Once operational in orbit, TacSat will be available for customer exercises, including learning endeavors related to Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess (F2T2EA) missions.
Having 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.
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