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Lockheed Martin’s newest tech demo for space connectivity is ready for launch

December 9, 2024

Photo of the TacSat, courtesy of Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] 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 (ISR) 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-.

In an unceasingly 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.web connectivity, enabling timely execution of tactical space missions

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.

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.  

Filed Under: Contracts & Commercial Deals, Launch Providers Tagged With: Featured

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