The U.S. Army has chosen Kymeta’s Osprey u8 hybrid satellite communications (SATCOM) terminal for its Next Generation Combat Control (NGC2) pilot program. This selection marks a significant step in the service’s efforts to modernize tactical communications with resilient, multi-orbit connectivity across Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite constellations.
Army’s NGC2 Pilot Targets Resilient Tactical Connectivity
The Next Generation Combat Control (NGC2) initiative is part of the U.S. Army’s broader effort to overhaul its command-and-control (C2) and communications architecture under the Unified Network Plan and Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) framework. The goal is to ensure that tactical units can maintain secure and reliable connectivity in contested or denied environments.
As peer adversaries increasingly target electromagnetic spectrum dominance and satellite infrastructure with jamming or kinetic threats, the U.S. Army is prioritizing SATCOM solutions that offer:
- Multi-path redundancy across LEO/MEO/GEO orbits
- Low Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWaP-C)
- Rapid acquisition of satellite links on-the-move
- Interoperability with existing tactical radios and networks
Kymeta’s Osprey u8 terminal was selected through a competitive process due to its hybrid architecture supporting both satellite and cellular backhaul options in a single ruggedized unit.
Kymeta Osprey u8: Key Capabilities and Technical Profile
The Osprey u8 is a low-profile electronically steered flat-panel antenna system developed by Washington-based Kymeta Corporation. It integrates multiple communication pathways including:
- Multi-Orbit SATCOM: Compatible with GEO networks like Intelsat/FlexMove as well as emerging LEO constellations such as OneWeb and future MEO systems.
- Cellular Backhaul: Integrated LTE/5G modem enables fallback via terrestrial networks when available.
- On-the-Move Operation: Fully mobile operation without mechanical gimbals; supports vehicular platforms including JLTVs.
- Ruggedized MIL-STD Design: Certified for MIL-STD-810G environmental conditions; IP66-rated enclosure.
- C5ISR Integration: Interfaces with tactical radios such as AN/PRC-163; supports IP-based data routing for C4ISR nodes.
The terminal weighs approximately 23 kg including modem and power supply components, making it suitable for deployment on light tactical vehicles or expeditionary command posts. Its flat-panel design minimizes visual signature while enabling rapid deployment without calibration or alignment procedures traditionally required by parabolic dishes.
Tactical Implications of Multi-Orbit Resilience
The integration of multi-orbit SATCOM into frontline units addresses several operational challenges faced by modern militaries operating in degraded environments. Traditional reliance on GEO satellites introduces latency (~600 ms round-trip) and vulnerability to anti-satellite weapons or jamming from known orbital slots.
LEO constellations such as Starlink or OneWeb offer lower latency (~50–100 ms), higher throughput per user terminal, and more dynamic link acquisition due to their moving constellation geometry. However, they may lack global coverage or suffer from congestion in dense operational theaters.
A hybrid approach—leveraging LEO for speed and GEO/MEO for persistence—provides redundancy against space-based threats while maximizing bandwidth availability across domains. For the Army’s NGC2 concept—which envisions distributed command nodes operating across large areas—this flexibility is critical.
BLOS Communications at the Tactical Edge
Kymeta’s solution enables Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) communications directly from maneuver elements without relying on fixed infrastructure or relay aircraft. This capability supports mission sets such as:
- Tactical Operations Centers on-the-move
- SIGINT/ISR data exfiltration from forward sensors
- Civil-military disaster response where terrestrial networks are down
Cybersecurity Considerations
Kymeta claims that its terminals support AES-256 encryption at rest/transit along with VPN tunneling compatible with military-grade firewalls. However, integration into classified networks will require further validation under DoD cybersecurity frameworks like RMF/DIACAP.
Kymeta’s Growing Role in Defense SATCOM Ecosystem
This selection builds upon Kymeta’s expanding footprint in defense markets following previous collaborations with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), DARPA programs like Blackjack integration trials, and commercial deployments supporting emergency response agencies using FlexMove services from Intelsat.
The company has also partnered with OneWeb Technologies—a commercial LEO operator spun off from OneWeb—to offer managed services tailored to government users under DISA contracts via the Commercial Satellite Communications Office (CSCO). These services include preconfigured terminals bundled with airtime plans optimized for CONUS/OCONUS operations.
Differentiators vs Competitors
Kymeta competes against other flat-panel SATCOM vendors such as:
- Starlink Flat High Performance Kit: Higher throughput but bulkier form factor; lacks native cellular fallback.
- CACI/Cubice’s GATR Balloons: Deployable high-bandwidth terminals but not suited for mobile operations.
- KVSAT & ThinKom Solutions: Electronically steered arrays focused on airborne ISR platforms rather than ground mobility.
The Osprey u8’s unique selling point lies in its integrated hybrid modem architecture combined with ruggedization tailored specifically for ground combat units—a niche underserved by many commercial-off-the-shelf systems originally designed for aviation or maritime use cases.
Next Steps: Field Trials Underway Through FY2026
The Army will conduct field evaluations of the Osprey u8 through FY2026 across multiple echelons—from brigade combat teams to theater-level sustainment commands—as part of its Capability Set experimentation cycles aligned with Project Convergence objectives.
If successful, these trials could lead to broader procurement under programs like Integrated Tactical Network (ITN), Expeditionary Signal Battalion – Enhanced (ESB-E), or even inclusion within Joint Tactical Edge Networking initiatives alongside Link-16 modernization efforts.
Pacing Threats Drive Urgency
The move comes amid growing concern about Chinese counter-space capabilities—including kinetic ASAT tests—and Russia’s demonstrated ability to jam GNSS/SATCOM signals over Ukraine using systems like Tirada-2S or Tobol complexes. The Pentagon has emphasized that resilient comms are foundational to JADC2 success—and multi-path terminals like Kymeta’s may be key enablers going forward.
SATCOM Procurement Trends Across Services
- Navy: Exploring hybrid maritime terminals blending Iridium Certus + GEO links aboard small vessels/UAVs;
- AFC/NGA/AFSOC: Testing low-profile antennas integrated into manned ISR platforms;
- MDA/NRO/NASA crossovers: Leveraging commercial constellations for real-time telemetry downlink;
Conclusion: A Step Toward Future-Proof Tactical Networks
Kymeta’s inclusion in the NGC2 pilot reflects a broader shift toward modularity and resilience in military communications infrastructure—where no single orbit or network can be relied upon exclusively amid rising threats from near-peer competitors. By embracing multi-path connectivity at the tactical edge through compact form factors like the Osprey u8 terminal, the U.S. Army aims to ensure uninterrupted situational awareness even under fire—or far beyond line-of-sight reach of traditional radios alone.
