The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command awarded Viasat and Intelsat contracts collectively worth $437.7 million to develop and deploy the first of a new class of anti-jam communication satellites. The awards mark the initial procurement under the service’s effort to modernize protected satellite communications against evolving electronic warfare threats. Both companies will deliver satellites designed to maintain connectivity under adversarial jamming conditions.
This investment signals a strategic shift toward resilient space-based communications as near-peer competitors field advanced electronic attack capabilities. The new satellites are expected to bolster the military's ability to sustain command and control during contested operations, reducing reliance on vulnerable commercial infrastructure. The dual-award approach also aims to foster competition and accelerate innovation in protected SATCOM.
Allied nations, particularly NATO members, are likely to benefit from enhanced interoperability if the new systems support allied waveform standards. Adversaries such as China and Russia, which have invested heavily in electronic warfare and anti-satellite weapons, may respond by refining their jamming techniques or targeting space-based assets earlier in a conflict. The U.S. Space Force has not disclosed specific counter-countermeasure details.
The $437.7 million combined value covers initial design, development, and demonstration phases, with full procurement costs expected to rise as the program matures. The Space Systems Command did not break down individual award amounts or provide a deployment timeline. Budget documents suggest follow-on production contracts could exceed $2 billion over the next decade.
Analysts caution that while protected SATCOM is critical, fielding new systems quickly is challenging given the complexity of anti-jam technology and the need for rigorous ground testing. Some experts argue the Space Force should prioritize proliferated low-Earth orbit architectures over fewer, more capable geostationary assets to enhance survivability.