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Space Force Launches PTS-G Design Phase With $37.3 M in Awards

This step engages five aerospace firms to develop commercial-based jam-resistant satellite designs ahead of a planned 2028 launch

Overview

  • Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Viasat, Astranis Space Technologies and Intelsat won a combined $37.3 million in initial PTS-G design and demonstration contracts under a $4 billion program ceiling
  • The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity awards target medium-assurance Ka- and X-band communications to bolster resilience against adversary jamming
  • Space Systems Command has requested $239.6 million in its FY 2026 budget for PTS-G research, development, test and evaluation covering design, manufacturing and testing of four prototype satellites
  • Each contractor will refine its satellite architecture through January 2026, after which the Space Force will select one design for an initial production award and first-satellite contract
  • The PTS-G initiative aims for initial operational capability by FY 2028 and full operational capability with a fleet of 12 satellites by FY 2030