CesiumAstro, a developer of advanced aerospace communications systems, announced it has been awarded a contract through the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) Space Development Agency (SDA) to advance the company’s multi-beam L-Band active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna. Building upon prior efforts, CesiumAstro will continue developing the Link 16–compatible AESA ahead of the agency’s migration to the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) global satellite network, the low earth orbit-based satellite constellation built to enable key DOD space capabilities.

Work will focus on optimizing the antenna to support U.S. and allied military forces’ common operating picture across the global battlespace. The company’s industry-leading experience with active phased array technology will enable it to move quickly to fulfill SDA’s Transport Layer mission requirements.

“This award spotlights the upcoming advancements in national security made possible by software-defined active phased array antennas,” said Shey Sabripour, founder and CEO of CesiumAstro. “Providing SDA with a multi-beam array increases architecture flexibility and capacity for enhanced theater coverage.”

CesiumAstro’s flat panel AESA will strengthen SDA’s information and decision advantages by using multiple beams to connect satellites to many dispersed users simultaneously, disseminating critical information to the warfighter faster. Further, the antenna directs beams without physically moving or requiring the movement of a satellite, and is software-defined to enable reprogrammable, “on the fly” adaptability to dynamic battlefields.

“Our modular solution scales to support a wide variety of missions,” said Trey Pappas, vice president of business development at CesiumAstro. “As a retired Marine Corps aviation officer, I greatly appreciate this capability as a game-changer to adapt the Transport Layer to fully support tactical users across the globe.”

In committing to providing technological and military advantages for the space domain, CesiumAstro has aligned its active phased array product roadmap to match the anticipated needs of the DOD and PWSA.