Northrop Grumman Proliferated Space Systems
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Experience. Proliferated.
New threats call for new approaches.
As threats to America’s space infrastructure increase, Northrop Grumman is applying decades of mission expertise in military satellite communications, missile defense/missile warning, and on-orbit networking to help rapidly field new architectures in low earth orbit that specifically address the needs of the warfighter.
Click on the links below to find out more about Northrop Grumman’s work in support of Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Network.
![rendering of several satellites in low-earth orbit, connected via laser crosslinks and providing coverage to the eastern Mediterranean region of earth.](https://cdn.northropgrumman.com/-/jssmedia/Project/Northrop-Grumman/ngc/Proliferated-Space-Systems-Capability-Multiplied.jpg?mw=3840&rev=d325985cb1f74257bd72b3142472a68d)
Capability. Multiplied.
America’s advantage in space is eroding. Competitors and potential adversaries are determined to target our military satellite communications and missile defense systems and are fielding advance ballistic missile technology that threatens the homeland and U.S. forces operating around the globe.
Proliferated low earth orbit (pLEO) architectures – constellations of hundreds of smaller, lower-cost satellites orbiting earth close to the atmosphere – add resiliency to our current array of on-orbit systems and can better target hypersonic missiles maneuvering in flight.
In support of Space Development Agency (SDA), Northrop Grumman is leading in the effort to rapidly field a global pLEO architecture of data transport and missile warning/missile tracking satellites and the powerful ground systems that will stitch it all together.
To help SDA make this complex architecture a reality, Northrop Grumman is combining its advanced technology and decades of mission expertise with the best commercially developed technology from partners ready today to produce with speed and at scale.
![rendering of several satellites in low-earth orbit, connected via laser crosslinks and providing coverage to the eastern Mediterranean region of earth.](https://cdn.northropgrumman.com/-/jssmedia/Project/Northrop-Grumman/ngc/Proliferated-Space-Systems-Transport-Layer.jpg?mw=3840&rev=1a35c84c451e45c7b58b15c99431bf43)
Programs
Transport Layer
Northrop Grumman is under contract to deliver 116 satellites as part of SDA’s transport layer. The Transport Layer is designed to provide low-latency, high-volume data connectivity supporting U.S. military missions around the world and extends the military’s Link 16 data link into space.
Tracking Layer
Northrop Grumman is under contract to deliver 16 space vehicles as part of global constellation of infrared missile warning and missile tracking satellites. These satellites integrate with the Transport Layer’s low-latency meshed communication network, enabling conventional and advanced missile tracking from proliferated low-Earth orbit.
Proliferated Space Systems
Media Contact
David Larter
703-561-5651