Space Force Awards $437.6 Million for First PTS‑G 'Swarm 1' Satellites
The awards move the program into initial production to field small geostationary X/Ka satellites that aim to keep battlefield links working under jamming and cyber attack.
Overview
- The Space Force announced the contracts on Friday, May 22, naming Viasat and SES to build the initial PTS‑G production lot known as “Swarm 1.”
- The combined award totals $437.6 million and covers four geostationary satellites expected for delivery by March 2029 with each vendor building two spacecraft.
- PTS‑G uses a distributed “swarm” design that keeps communications working if one satellite is lost by moving protected X‑band and Ka‑band waveform processing into space across multiple small satellites.
- The program relies on commercial‑derived satellite buses and designs to speed fielding and cut costs while offering troops more resilient, anti‑jam links for tactical radios.
- Budget papers show a second procurement planned in 2028 for four more satellites to deploy in 2031 and related work such as a Northrop Grumman prototype and a longer‑term PTS‑Resilient effort will inform future buys.