On-Orbit Technology Demonstrations Pave the Way for CJADC2

It’s no secret that space will be the “connector” that makes the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)’s vision of Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) a reality.

CJADC2 – the Decision-Maker’s Advantage

CJADC2 integrates and synchronizes military operations across all domains, enhancing decision-making and coordination among the U.S. and allied forces, enabling real-time data sharing and streamlined communication needed for them to fully integrate as a combined force. By leveraging advanced technologies and interconnected networks, CJADC2 aims to provide a decision advantage to warfighters, operational efficiency, and mission effectiveness, ensuring a unified and agile response to complex threats.  

This space-enabled network will combine allied and partner forces, their platforms, architectures, data, and applications to expand a unified global defense strategy across all domains and environments. It must provide connectivity in every operational environment whether network connectivity is being denied, degraded, intermittent or limited by our adversaries.

Making Connections with Technology Demonstrations 

To make that connection happen, new space technology is essential. This year, Lockheed Martin is demonstrating how space can make that critical connection with a series of self-funded missions with small satellites. 

Harnessing digital 21st Century Security® technologies – like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, 5G.MIL™, distributed cloud computing and software-defined networks -- the goal is to rapidly prove out and showcase the maturity of new space technologies and system prototypes being made operational. By taking the initiative to do that on orbit, we can accelerate Technology Readiness Levels maturation and deliver critical capabilities to our Warfighters faster.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to combining the right information, in any environment to the right effector at the tactical edge of warfare where and when it matters most.

From Concept to Reality: Pony Express 2

In March 2024, Lockheed Martin launched Pony Express 2, a pair of 12U small satellites with four payloads which provide tactical communications; Ka-band crosslinks and mesh network; RF sensing across multiple bands; and a high-end central processing unit. 

In the months since launch, Pony Express 2 has already demonstrated:

• Enhanced connectivity: A NASA-standard delay-tolerant, mesh network shows how operators could remain resiliently connected by data that is relayed undetected through a constellation of satellites directly to tactical edge users.
• Autonomous capability: HiveStar™, a “bid-auction” style autonomous mission tasking technology, is used every day in operations to orchestrate the mission. 
• Mission flexibility: Our SmartSat™ technology is used to upload and execute new software applications written in different languages. Similar to an app on a smartphone, this enables edge processing for software-defined missions.
• AI-enabled proactive troubleshooting: Our T-TAURI AI application collects data, allowing autonomous monitoring of spacecraft telemetry and -- with the ability to predict potential failures faster than humans -- allows controllers to proactively address issues before they occur.
• Radio Frequency signal processing: RF collection and signal processing techniques enable the receipt of very low power signals. 
• Radiation damage monitoring and correction: Radiation mitigation techniques allowed us to fly through the most severe solar storm in many decades.

More demonstrations on formation flying and cross link communications are expected in the coming weeks. After commissioning, the satellite duo will be available to participate in government exercises and demos.

Launching Soon: The Tactical Satellite, a 5G Powerhouse

Later this year, Lockheed Martin will launch Tactical Satellite – or TacSat – a small intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellite where we leveraged commonality with other LEO constellation programs we have to increase speed and lower costs. TacSat will help prove specialized sensing and communications capabilities on orbit, including cross-domain target connectivity, enabling timely execution of tactical space missions.  

The satellite’s infrared sensing and advanced communications capabilities will showcase an ability to connect with assets across domains and to seamlessly interface with federated Battle Management Command & Control (BMC2) combat systems. This type of connectivity provides joint forces with a comprehensive picture of the battlespace, enabling them to stay ahead of emerging threats.  

TacSat will also host the first 5G non-terrestrial-network New Radio payload. This 5G NTN-NR is regenerative, meaning that it handles data processing onboard the satellite instead of having to constantly relay data between space to ground stations. This 5G demonstration payload will pave the way for a future network of high-speed, low-latency global data connections for both potential military and commercial uses.

All planned environmental tests have recently been completed and TacSat is anticipated to launch in the near future.  

Space: The Critical Connection As the competition, volume and complexity of battlefield data increases, space-enabled CJADC2 is foundational for our nation to maintain a decisive information advantage to the Sense, Make Sense and Act in protecting our Joint Force, allies, and partners across all domains. 

This integrated “BMC2 Sense Making” network will connect incompatible legacy systems and tactical networks operated by the individual services, providing a force multiplier and decision advantage to warfighters, faster decision making, and sensor-to-shooter capabilities for joint missions.

These advancements highlight how Lockheed Martin is playing a crucial role in achieving the CJADC2 vision, ensuring information superiority and operational effectiveness for U.S. forces and their allies.