Northrop Grumman to Advance Military’s Protected Satellite Communications
REDONDO BEACH, Calif. – June 17, 2026 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has secured a significant contract to develop a free-flying Enhanced Protected Tactical Satellite Communications – Prototype (PTS-P) for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC), continuing its advancement in jam-resistant satellite communications.
This $398 million contract is part of Northrop Grumman’s contribution to SSC’s PTS Family of Systems program aimed at providing U.S. tactical forces with secure and resilient Ka-band communications, even in the most contested environments. This initiative is a vital element of the company’s broader strategy to ensure seamless connectivity across all potential threat conditions.
The Enhanced PTS-P satellite will feature:
- An advanced anti-jam payload including a Protected Tactical Waveform processor situated on a GEOStar-3 commercial bus, along with necessary ground equipment, launch preparations, and on-orbit testing.
- Leading-edge digital processing technologies and cost-efficient antenna configurations to achieve unmatched anti-jam performance.
- A modular and flexible architecture that is scalable and can evolve to meet future mission requirements without incurring expensive and time-consuming redesigns.
An artist rendering of Northrop Grumman’s on-orbit satellite communications systems. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)
Pablo Pezzimenti, Vice President of Communications and Networking at Northrop Grumman, stated, “Our unparalleled anti-jam capabilities allow warfighters to maintain secure communication in the most challenging environments. Northrop Grumman is leveraging proven technology to deliver a mission advantage in alignment with Space Systems Command’s Protected Tactical SATCOM (PTS) Family of Systems.”
As a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, Northrop Grumman is dedicated to equipping customers with essential capabilities to connect and safeguard the world while expanding the frontiers of human exploration in space. Propelled by a shared mission to tackle the toughest challenges faced by clients, the company’s workforce continually pushes the boundaries of what is possible.
Source: Northrop Grumman (2026-06-17T14:02:00Z)
