DARPA boosts contract to Lockheed Martin for Blackjack communications and surveillance satellite integration

Sept. 13, 2021
The technology developed in the Blackjack program is supporting a large network of communications and missile-warning satellites in low Earth orbit.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Arlington, Va., has increased the contract to Lockheed Martin Corp. for satellite integration work for the Blackjack program by $25.3 million. Space News reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

13 Sept. 2021 -- The Lockheed Martin Corp. Space Systems segment in Sunnyvale, Calif., is the satellite integrator for Blackjack, a project to demonstrate the capabilities of small satellites in low Earth orbit for military communications, missile warning and navigation.

The company had previously received contracts for $13.1 million and $27.3 million. The new modification brings the total value of the contract to $65.8 million.

The agency ordered 10 buses from Blue Canyon Technologies and two from Telesat for the Blackjack project. Several companies, including Raytheon, SEAKR Engineering and SA Photonics are supplying payloads that Lockheed Martin integrates with the buses and the Pit Boss autonomous data processor.

Related: Military researchers approach industry to integrate LEO affordable commercial satellite buses and payloads

Related: Northrop Grumman to advance position, navigation, and timing (PNT) for secure communications satellites

Related: SEAKR eyes next phases of Blackjack space avionics project for communications and surveillance networking

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Military Aerospace, create an account today!