Battlefield Tech

Pentagon may rethink how it determines which space programs are classified

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb said this week the guide, which is used to determine which programs should be classified, may need to be rewritten.

War in Ukraine reinforces need for US Army network upgrades, generals say

“Also, when you have a living and breathing threat,” Army Maj. Gen. Robert Collins said, “you need to think about the things such as a contested and congested environment.”

Space Force releases plan for testing satellites, ground systems

The Space Force signed off on the new test enterprise vision in March, which calls for an integrated test force and a more robust space test and training range infrastructure.

GEOINT

Maxar reports $7 million loss in first quarter earnings

Multiple media organizations use Maxar’s satellite imagery in their reporting, notably to show activity in Ukraine as it defends itself against a Russian invasion.

How the Pentagon is harnessing 5G for the future fight

The Defense Department’s 5G strategy is written with a sense of urgency: The nations “that master advanced communications technologies and ubiquitous connectivity will have a long-term economic and military advantage,” its unclassified, public pages read.

Why the Army CIO wants data upgrades now

“You could have the world’s best weapon systems, you could have the world’s best army,” Chief Information Officer Raj Iyer said. “But our advantage in the future is going to be how well and how quickly we’re able to synthesize” data and share it.

DARPA seeks funding for next phase of hypersonic weapon

Initial funding for MoHAWC would fund long-lead components for four flight-test systems, technology risk-reduction efforts and early ground tests.

Defense Innovation Unit chief to resign in September

Brown has served as DIU director since 2018 and will leave his post at the end of his term in September.

Atlantic Council urges Pentagon to utilize commercial space capabilities

The Atlantic Council report urges Congress to improve its oversight of how the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community adopt commercial space services.

Satellite service provider EchoStar posts Q1 earnings

The company posted a revenue of $501.5 million in the period.

Satellite comms firm Telesat unveils first-quarter earnings

Telesat expects full-year revenue in the range of $568.4 million to $584.2 million.

DARPA’s nuclear space propulsion project advances to next phase

The agency wants to demonstrate the utility of more efficient, high-thrust propulsion systems for cislunar space operations and aims to fly a nuclear-powered space vehicle in fiscal 2026.

GEOINT

New Zealand rocket caught but then dropped by helicopter

Rocket Lab partially pulled off the feat as it pushes to make its small Electron rockets reusable.

Space Force seeks $3.7 billion for narrowband communication satellites

The service says the two satellites will extend the service-life of the Mobile User Objective System constellation to at least 2034.

How the Space Force is working with US allies

Director of the Space Force’s International Affairs Directorate Deanna Ryals says the organization aims to serve as a “front door” for Space Systems Command's work with international partners and to ensure that as the command develops and acquires new systems and architectures, it does so with allies in mind.

The anti-satellite test ban must not undermine deterrence

The U.S. must convince its adversaries they cannot destroy America's critical satellites while retaining theirs.

US Army wraps review of ‘future battlespace’ network tools

“In previous wars, the difference between a good decision and a bad decision may be minutes,” the general said. “In the future battlespace, that difference between a good decision and a bad decision may be seconds or milliseconds.”

DARPA budget request seeks to bolster ‘critical’ defense technologies

The agency's $4.1 billion budget is closely aligned with DoD's critical technology priorities, particularly in the areas of microelectronics, artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

Pentagon wants at least $377 million over five years for new rapid experimentation fund

The fiscal 2023 funding would support experimentation sprints across the military services to mature high-priority capabilities linked to the Joint Warfighting Concept.

Defense Innovation Unit opens Chicago office as part of Midwest expansion

The new DIU hub will help the office tab into commercial innovation in the Midwest region.

‘Tremendous’ momentum seen as US Army upgrades network tech

U.S. Army officials have likened the capability set plan to Apple’s iPhone approach: new, enhanced hardware rolling out on the heels of the last release.

How commercial space systems are changing the conflict in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine is certainly not the first major conflict where commercial space capabilities have been a feature, but experts say advances in technology have enabled these systems to play a much larger role than in the past.

The US military needs a modernized GPS capability to maintain superiority

The replacement of outdated GPS satellites in the constellation has not kept pace with our international competition and emerging global threats.

GEOINT

Iridium’s first-quarter results surpass expectations

The satellite phone company posted revenue of $168.2 million in the period.

Space Fence now has a direct link to key Space Force data hub

The milestone represents the first direct-connect between the Space Force's Unified Data Library and a sensor in the Space Surveillance Network.