Conceptual image of Blackjack small satellite constellation. (Image: DARPA)
DARPA has awarded Parsons Government Services a $10.8 million Small Business Innovation Research contract to build a prototype ground operations centre under Phase 3 of the Blackjack small satellite programme.
Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with an estimated completion date of June 2024.
A joint initiative between DARPA and the US Space Force, Blackjack is intended to result in a constellation of up to 20 small high-speed autonomous satellites in low Earth orbit, providing the DoD with highly connected, resilient and persistent overhead coverage.
Initially, plans call for up to 12 satellites to be launched in 2022 with payloads for ISTAR, missile warning and navigation.
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
Defence-secure mixed reality headsets can save hours, or even weeks, of travel time to fix defunct equipment or get subject experts effectively “on-site” where they are needed.
The Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) and Drone Restricted Access Using Known Electromagnetic Warfare (DRAKE) counter-UAS (CUAS) systems are mounted and dismounted RF jammers.
Adarga’s Vantage information analysis tool is in service with the UK MoD and individual UK forces. It builds on the company’s Knowledge Platform which processes, organises and analyses open source material, as well as information held by the user’s military, security and intelligence services.
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