Air Force, Space Force seek $16B extra for FY26 ‘unfunded priorities’
The services’ unfunded requests, obtained by Breaking Defense, reflect sharp increases compared to last year.
Space Force ponders shakeup to LEO satellite strategy, potentially hiring SpaceX for data relay
Contracts for the next-generation Tranche 3, which will replace the earliest Transport Layer satellites, have been paused until the Space Force study is completed, five sources with knowledge of the program told Breaking Defense.
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Space Force is contracting with SpaceX for new, secretive MILNET SATCOM network
The MILNET contract with SpaceX is being paid for by the Space Force but managed by the National Reconnaissance Office, sources said.
EXCLUSIVE: Derek Tournear reinstated as Space Development Agency director
Tournear was placed on administrative leave from his role on Jan. 16.
Air Force weighs plan to cancel SDA’s next set of data relay sats in favor of SpaceX: Sources
The shift was recommended by the Space Force in order to protect the service's high-priority efforts, sources told Breaking Defense.
SDA again postpones launch of first ‘operational’ data relay, missile warning satellites
SDA originally had hoped to begin launching the Tranche 1 Transport and Tracking Layer constellations for its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture stationed in low Earth orbit in September 2024.
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Too soon? GAO questions tech readiness of satellite laser links
The Space Development Agency "has taken steps to develop laser communications technology but has not yet fully demonstrated it in space," finds a report released today by the Government Accountability Office.
In response to Viasat suit, SDA will recompete 10-satellite award to Tyvak
The court filings do not provide a proposed schedule for the new bid process, but do reveal that it will be managed by officials who were not involved in overseeing the original contract awards.
SDA creates new contractor pool to bid for future demos, tags 19 initial vendors
The first planned prototype orders using HALO will "reduce risk and demonstrate feasibility of proliferation for future tactical data links and optical communication missions," the Space Development Agency said.
AFRL moves toward flight testing satellite internet radios under Global Lightning
"The expectation is that we will bounce between those constellations in the same flight, so we'll move between them. Now, I don't think anybody should be guaranteeing that on flight one," said AFRL's head engineer for Global Lightning Brian Beal. "We're going to improve as we go and get to that, but that is the goal of the program."
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SDA demos laser links crucial for future SATCOM, missile tracking network
Tournear said that the optical intersatellite link demonstration was final success in a trifecta of baseline challenges to SDA's plan to network hundreds of military satellites in LEO, as well as to eventually to integrate commercial satellites into the mix.
Air Force acquisition czar delays key milestone for ground moving target satellites
The delay in the review, however, is not expected to impact the planned delivery schedule, an Air Force spokesperson said. That said, neither the Pentagon nor the NRO has revealed the hoped-for schedule.
SDA’s data relay, missile tracking networks to be operational by end of 2025: Tournear
"By the end of next year, we'll have 126 Link 16 satellites that are operational on orbit," said SDA Director Derek Tournear.
SDA requests nearly $4.3B for FY25, slight drop from last year
SDA is asking for $357 million for FY25 launch services, down from the nearly $530 million in FY24. Those funds would pay to manifest four planned launches of the Tranche 2 Transport Layer satellites in 2027.