The U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) is nearing approval to conduct routine testing of its space-based Link 16 communications network over the continental United States. This development follows a successful test in April that demonstrated the satellite signals did not interfere with national airspace, according to the agency's acting head.
A report detailing the test results has been submitted to the Department of Defense's Chief Information Office, which will make the final determination. Approval would mark a significant step forward for the agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a next-generation satellite network designed to support military operations.
Key Takeaways
- An April test at Eglin Air Force Base showed space-based Link 16 signals caused no interference with U.S. airspace.
- The Space Development Agency has submitted a report to the DoD and is awaiting approval for routine testing over the U.S.
- The agency's contractor, York Space Systems, recently launched 21 new Transport Layer satellites, which are currently in their checkout phase.
- York also successfully demonstrated a separate space-to-ground optical laser communication link with an older demonstration satellite.
Successful Test Paves Way for Domestic Operations
The crucial test was conducted in April at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. As an SDA satellite passed overhead, ground systems monitored the strength of its Link 16 radio signals as they traveled through the national airspace.
Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo, the acting director of the SDA, spoke about the results at the Air Force Association’s Air Space Cyber conference. He explained that the test detected only a minimal signal from the satellite.
"We did not see any signal of any useful strength that could interfere with things," Sandhoo stated during a media roundtable.
Based on these findings, the SDA compiled a report for the Defense Department’s Chief Information Office. While Sandhoo did not provide a specific timeline for a decision, he expressed confidence in the outcome.
"We are really, really close to resolving that," he added, noting that the CIO's office must perform its due diligence before granting approval. Once approved, any future testing over the U.S. will likely require a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to be issued by the Federal Aviation Administration to alert pilots in the area.
What is Link 16?
Link 16 is a military tactical data link network used by U.S. and NATO forces. It allows aircraft, ships, and ground forces to exchange tactical information in near-real time. The SDA's goal is to extend this capability to space, creating a resilient, global network that can connect warfighters anywhere on Earth.
Expanding the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture
The Link 16 satellites are a core component of the SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). This ambitious initiative involves deploying hundreds of satellites in low-Earth orbit to create a resilient, interconnected mesh network.
The PWSA is designed with two primary layers:
- The Transport Layer: This layer will provide secure, low-latency, high-volume data connectivity, acting as the communications backbone for U.S. military forces worldwide.
- The Tracking Layer: This layer consists of satellites equipped with sensors to detect and track advanced missile threats, such as hypersonic weapons.
Currently, the SDA is conducting Link 16 tests from its initial set of demonstration satellites, known as Tranche 0, over allied airspace. The approval for testing over the U.S. would allow for more extensive and complex evaluations of the system's capabilities.
New Satellites Undergo Initial Checkout
The agency's network continues to expand. On September 10, the first 21 satellites of the Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) were successfully launched into orbit. York Space Systems, the prime contractor for this batch, confirmed that it established contact with all 21 spacecraft two days after launch.
Tranche 1 Status Update
According to the SDA, the newly launched satellites are power positive, thermally stable, and clustered together as they move through their initial checkout phase. The next steps involve propulsion burns to move them into their designated orbital planes and a final crypto checkout.
York Space Systems still owns and operates the satellites during this commissioning phase. The company is responsible for ensuring each spacecraft is fully mission-ready before handing over control to the SDA.
Separately, York announced another technical achievement involving one of the older Tranche 0 demonstration satellites. The company successfully established a space-to-ground optical laser communication link with an SDA ground terminal, transmitting over 1.5 million frames of data.
Melanie Preisser, vice president and general manager at York, highlighted the importance of these milestones. "By demonstrating secure, high-capacity links for missile warning, tracking, and tactical transport, York is demonstrating that these technologies can be fielded rapidly to meet the nation’s evolving mission demands," she said in a statement. The Tranche 0 satellites, launched in April 2023, continue to serve as critical assets for testing and validating new technologies for the PWSA.