US Space Force awards Northrop Grumman $398 M for Enhanced Tactical Satellite Communications prototype

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command has awarded Northrop Grumman a firm‑fixed‑price contract worth $398 million to develop an Enhanced Protected Tactical Satellite Communications‑Prototype (PTS‑P). The system will feature advanced antennas and space‑based processing of the Protected Tactical Waveform to provide more resilient SATCOM capabilities for joint forces operating in contested environments.

The prototype’s launch is not expected until after the start of fiscal year 2030. PTS‑P is part of a broader Protected Tactical Service program for which the Space Force is seeking $449.4 million in FY‑27, including $299.1 million earmarked for PTS efforts and $150.4 million for a PTS‑Global gap‑filling program. Earlier in July, contracts worth up to $4 billion were awarded to Viasat, Astranis Space Technologies, Intelsat General Communications, Boeing and Northrop Grumman for the production of X‑band and Ka‑band satellites under the PTS‑G effort, slated for fielding in the first half of fiscal year 2029.