BAE Systems has won a contract from the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command to design and demonstrate ultra-compact radio-frequency terminals for a space-based data layer, a move aimed at strengthening the military’s capacity to operate satellite communications systems in contested and degraded environments.
The contract value was not disclosed. BAE will develop software-defined radios characterized as “space-hardened,” meaning they are engineered to maintain reliable performance despite jamming, electromagnetic interference, and radiation exposure across orbital altitudes ranging from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Such capabilities are increasingly seen as essential as military and commercial space operations face growing threats.
The effort reflects Pentagon concerns about the vulnerability of space infrastructure during conflict. Satellites and ground-based communications systems face threats from jamming, cyberattacks, and direct action that could degrade or deny service at critical moments. Building terminals that function reliably under such pressure has become a strategic priority for the U.S. Space Force.
Joe Dziezynski, BAE Systems Space Systems product line director, said of the contract: “This contract leverages decades of experience delivering mission-critical, radiation-hardened hardware and communications systems – from Apollo-era programs to today’s deep-space and airborne missions. Our resilient design and established manufacturing capacity will enable rapid deployment and scalable production, supporting the Space Force’s vital mission to enhance global security.”
The terminals will incorporate military-grade security features and will undergo space-characterization testing to validate performance across different orbital environments. BAE will also develop an application programming interface (API) that enables precise pointing between payloads, allowing the terminals to maintain reliable connections even in adversarial conditions.
The Space Force has increasingly adopted modular, software-defined approaches to space communications over recent years, viewing them as more flexible and adaptive than traditional fixed-function hardware. Software-defined systems can be updated and reconfigured remotely without replacing physical equipment, an attractive quality for military planners managing vast satellite constellations and preparing for evolving threats.
BAE Systems indicated it has existing manufacturing capacity that could support rapid production if the demonstration proves successful and the Pentagon decides to proceed with broader deployment. The company has conducted space-related work for decades, including contributions to Apollo-era programs through its predecessor organizations.
The contract represents one of several recent Pentagon investments in space resilience and communications infrastructure. Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and other major defense and aerospace contractors have won comparable work on space communications and resilience initiatives in recent years as the Pentagon accelerates its focus on space dominance.
The demonstration phase is expected to establish whether the BAE terminals can meet the Space Force’s operational requirements before any broader production decision.