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Northrop Grumman will work with the US Air Force Research Laboratory to integrate commercial space internet into airborne platforms, advancing connectivity for warfighters and supporting the Department of Defense (DOD) vision for Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2).
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This US Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet is designed to provide the US Department of Defense with affordable, resilient solutions capable of operating in low-Earth orbit, medium-Earth orbit and geostationary earth orbit.
Jenna Paukstis, vice-president, communications solutions, Northrop Grumman, said: “Achieving decision dominance across domains is essential for the warfighter. We are at a pivotal moment to build a diverse network using commercial space internet that can be used on any platform globally.”
As part of this, Northrop Grumman will leverage the company’s open systems processors and antenna solutions will be tested as part of this contract award to bring beyond line-of-sight capabilities to air and ground forces.
It is proposed that the capability, when fielded, will:
- Enable the warfighter to securely share data and synchronise operations within milliseconds around the world.
- Use open architecture, configurable systems to rapidly integrate into airborne platforms and ground vehicles.
- Provide affordable options for resilient connectivity using commercial space internet constellations across multiple orbits.
Dr Brian Beal, principal aerospace engineer, Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation Office, Air Force Research Laboratory, at the Air Force Research Laboratory, added: “We need communications that will be available for the warfighter in any environment. This program will accelerate these technologies onto many platforms across the joint force because that’s how we fight, and that’s how we want to operate.”
The US Department of Defense’s pursuit of JADC2 capabilities is an evolution of traditional “combined arms” doctrine and capability that will provide Australia and its allies with a tactical and strategic overmatch across the domains of warfare, with the US Department of Defense explaining the importance of this radically new approach to capability:
“As an approach, JADC2 transcends any single capability, platform, or system; it provides an opportunity to accelerate the implementation of needed technological advancement and doctrinal change in the way the joint force conducts C2. JADC2 will enable the joint force to use increasing volumes of data, employ automation and AI, rely upon a secure and resilient infrastructure, and act inside an adversary’s decision cycle.”
