The US Army’s five satellite Milstar constellation has been successfully reconfigured whilst in orbit, with no unplanned disruption to military communications, system manufacturer Lockheed Martin says.

The constellation provides a protected global communication network for the US military and can transmit voice, data and imagery, including video teleconferencing.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The Milstar system is the only survivable means that the US president, secretary of defense and strategic commanders have to maintain control of America’s strategic forces.

The reconfiguration, which involved repositioning the satellites to maximise and improve the constellation’s earth coverage visibility, took seven months.

Lockheed Martin says the success of the operation bodes well for the launch of Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites into the network next year.

By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Army Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Army Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact across the defence sector.

Excellence in Action
SMARTSHOOTER’s SMASH AI-enabled fire control systems are turning standard rifles into precision counter drone and small arms platforms. Discover how SMASH is redefining dismounted force protection, accuracy, and ethical AI use on today’s battlefield and why it has won the Innovation award.

Discover the Impact