AST SpaceMobile Secures $30 Million Contract for Military Broadband Demonstration

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

AST SpaceMobile Secures $30 Million Contract for Military Broadband Demonstration

The U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) announced on February 23rd a significant $30 million contract award to AST SpaceMobile, a company pioneering direct-to-device satellite communications. This contract aims to demonstrate the viability of AST SpaceMobile's space-based cellular broadband network in connecting directly with military communication devices, marking a crucial step in integrating commercial space technologies into defense operations.

AST SpaceMobile, headquartered in Midland, Texas, plans to utilize its constellation of BlueBird satellites to "demonstrate resilient, low-latency tactical satellite communications." The project involves a series of demonstrations, slated for completion by December 2027, which will focus on achieving "seamless integration with existing tactical military radios." Furthermore, the company will showcase how commercial satellite infrastructure can be rapidly adapted for defense applications, delivering data products as a service to the SDA. This initiative underscores the growing trend of leveraging commercial innovation to enhance military capabilities.

The firm-fixed-price award was issued under the SDA's Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (HALO) initiative. HALO is an Other Transaction (OT) agreement specifically designed to fund rapid on-orbit experiments and technology demonstrations. This flexible acquisition pathway allows the SDA to explore and validate emerging space technologies, enabling faster integration of cutting-edge solutions into its operational architecture. The OT structure is crucial for accelerating the development and deployment of next-generation space systems.

The SDA, a component of the U.S. Space Force, is actively developing the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). This ambitious project involves building a large constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites intended to provide critical capabilities such as missile warning, tracking, data transport, and other essential military missions. The agency's strategy involves deploying these satellites in iterative "tranches," progressively adding enhanced capabilities over time. The HALO initiative serves as a vital proving ground for technologies that may eventually be incorporated into these operational layers.

As part of the HALO program, the SDA selected 19 companies in October 2024 to join its vendor pool. Each selected company received a modest initial agreement, granting them eligibility to compete for prototype task orders. This approach allows the SDA to test new capabilities under compressed timelines, significantly reducing the risk associated with committing to future tranches of the PWSA. It fosters a dynamic environment for innovation and ensures that the agency can adapt quickly to evolving technological landscapes.

The AST SpaceMobile award falls specifically under HALO's "Europa" procurement, which is part of the Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System. Technologies that demonstrate successful performance in these Europa demonstrations can provide valuable insights and potentially transition into the broader PWSA. GP Sandhoo, SDA's acting director, emphasized the agency's commitment to "using commercial solutions to quickly demonstrate mission utility, reduce risk for the operational layers of future tranches of the PWSA, and accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge capability to the warfighter."

AST SpaceMobile's core technology involves a space-based cellular broadband network designed to connect directly with standard, unmodified commercial smartphones. Its satellites are equipped with large phased-array antennas capable of linking everyday mobile devices to orbiting spacecraft without the need for specialized terminals. The company has consistently pitched its system as a solution for extending connectivity to remote regions and disaster-stricken areas, demonstrating its potential for both civilian and military applications.

For AST SpaceMobile, this new contract represents a significant validation and a further step in positioning its consumer-focused broadband system as a valuable asset for defense missions. This follows a previous award last year, an estimated $43 million contract supporting the SDA through an undisclosed prime contractor. The company also conducted testing of its BlueWalker-3 satellite in 2024 under an earlier SDA agreement. AST SpaceMobile is currently preparing to launch its BlueBird-7 satellite aboard the maiden flight of Blue Origin's New Glenn heavy-lift rocket. According to the company, the latest BlueBird satellites feature phased-array antennas spanning approximately 2,400 square feet, making them some of the largest commercial arrays deployed in low Earth orbit.

This strategic partnership highlights the increasing convergence of commercial space capabilities and national security requirements. By investing in demonstrations like this, the SDA aims to harness the agility and innovation of the commercial space sector to enhance the resilience, responsiveness, and overall effectiveness of military communication networks in an increasingly complex global security environment.

Source: Ekhbary News Agency