Lockheed Martin has announced that its new Tactical Satellite, dubbed “TacSat,” will be launched in 2025 aboard a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket.
The company plans to test TacSat in several exercises scheduled for next year, evaluating its performance for rapid deployment in tactical space missions.
The satellite is designed to serve as an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform, providing advanced sensing and communication capabilities in orbit.
“This area of focus is especially important to the future of space as it becomes a more contested environment,” said Paul Koether, Director of Tactical Space at Lockheed Martin.
“We’re thrilled to be one step closer to displaying game-changing communications and sensing in the ultimate high ground.”
Space Connectivity
The TacSat will feature an advanced Lockheed Martin infrared sensor that provides high-resolution imagery and integrates Battle Management Command & Control systems for threat detection.
The satellite will also include Lockheed Martin’s first 5G.MIL payload in orbit, supporting cellular-like networking capabilities to military space assets.
While developing the satellite capabilities and preparing for the launch, the company signed an agreement with Firefly Aerospace to implement 25 launches in its facilities across the US and use Firefly’s launch vehicles.
Next-Generation Capabilities
In recent years, Lockheed has specialized in space technologies.
The company has delivered over 300 mission payloads, logged nearly 1,000 hours of planetary spacecraft operations, and achieved deployments to eight different planets.
Lockheed’s key space technologies include defense systems against missile and hypersonic threats.
The firm also develops advanced communications, data transport, and GPS satellites.