Turning Data into Mission Advantage: Why Having Multiple Communications Pathways Secures the Kill Chain
Military forces today enjoy unprecedented options for data transmission across the battlespace, thanks to the emergence of commercial satellite infrastructure complementing traditional military assets. This evolution has significantly enhanced beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) connectivity for strategic and tactical operations alike.
As warfighters navigate contested environments, fully leveraging this spectrum has become essential for securing the kill chain. Modern warfare necessitates the capability to sense, decide, and act across extensive distances, yet connectivity often falters under the pressures of electronic warfare. Aircrews and ground commanders stationed at the operational edge depend greatly on BLOS communications to facilitate real-time targeting, sensor data exchange, and command and control, reaching areas that conventional systems cannot. In these persistent operational settings, connectivity failure translates directly into kill chain failure.
This challenge is documented and on the rise. The U.S. intelligence community confirms that adversaries now possess the capability to deny, degrade, and destroy satellite communications (SATCOM). A communication infrastructure that relies on a single satellite constellation, frequency, or pathway presents an exploitable vulnerability in peer conflicts.
When One Path Closes, Another Must Open
Resilient communications, achievable through pathway diversity, are the hallmark of contemporary SATCOM architectures. L3Harris Technologies is at the forefront, utilizing hybrid SATCOM technology to connect operators with multiple constellations across multi-orbit, multi-band, and multi-waveform systems. When electronic jamming, cyberattacks, or other disruptive efforts interfere with target links, the architecture reacts promptly, rerouting data to the next available orbit, band, or constellation autonomously, ensuring uninterrupted flow of mission-critical information and allowing commanders to retain real-time situational awareness.
“Every element of the kill chain is built to perform under fire,” stated Shawn Miller, President of Spectrum Superiority, Communications & Spectrum Dominance at L3Harris. “Our hybrid SATCOM solutions guarantee connectivity meets that same high standard, mitigating single points of failure so that warfighters are never left in the dark.”
Architecture Built to Evolve
In the kill chain, speed is paramount—not only in operational execution but also in capability development. As the U.S. military increasingly integrates commercial technology for critical missions, rapid adoption is essential.
L3Harris has responded by creating the Rapidly Adaptable Standards-compliant Open Radio (RASOR™) chassis. This innovative system lays a robust open-architecture foundation for hybrid SATCOM capabilities. The RASOR family of terminals adopts a modular, open-systems approach allowing third-party hardware modules and software applications to integrate seamlessly. For military operators, this means increased flexibility to adopt new capabilities as mission requirements evolve. For industry partners, it signifies a sustainable, cost-effective model that eliminates vendor lock-in, bridging the divide between commercial innovation and military necessity.
“Commanders cannot afford to wait through slow procurement cycles while the battlespace changes daily,” Miller commented. “We designed RASOR to enable operators to incorporate new waveforms and partner technologies, delivering the capabilities required for today’s engagements while continuously adapting to emerging threats.”
With NSA Type 1 certification anticipated by early 2027, RASOR is poised to facilitate mission-critical data transmission across both military and commercial infrastructures, complying with stringent standards for data protection and integrity. Its open architecture enables easy integration with existing systems and broad deployment across various joint force platforms.
While some alternative solutions are still striving towards this standard, L3Harris is already delivering it today.
The Multi-Path Forward
The future of joint force communications is anchored in pathway diversity, multi-orbit resilience, and open architecture.
Data is the key to winning wars, and the warfighter capable of swiftly moving, protecting, and acting on that data first will secure the decisive advantage.
Integrated hybrid SATCOM solutions from L3Harris provide the Air Force with a versatile foundation for command, control, communications, and battle management. Built on a non-proprietary architecture with Government Property Rights to critical chassis, modules, and software, this solution enhances the integration of new technologies, fosters greater control over sustainment and upgrades, and diminishes reliance on proprietary dependencies. This adaptability enables the Air Force to facilitate secure data sharing, mission coordination, and resilient operations across dispersed environments.
Source: L3Harris (2026-09-14)
