SD Government Wins USAF Contract for Airborne Comms Gateway Integration

SD Government LLC has secured a U.S. Air Force contract to develop and integrate an advanced airborne communications gateway system. The award underscores the growing emphasis on resilient beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) command-and-control (C2) capabilities across joint and coalition operations.

Contract Overview and Strategic Objectives

On May 30, 2024, SD Government LLC was awarded a $19.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Rome Research Site. The contract focuses on the development of a prototype airborne communications gateway that enables interoperability between disparate tactical data links and satellite communications systems.

The project falls under the AFRL’s Advanced Capabilities and Strategic Integration Division and is part of broader efforts to enhance Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2). The system will serve as an enabler for real-time information sharing between air, ground, maritime, space, and cyber assets operating in contested environments.

The work will be performed at SD Government’s facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Melbourne Beach, Florida; and Rome, New York. Completion is scheduled for mid-2026.

Technical Scope: Bridging Tactical Data Links with BLOS Connectivity

The airborne gateway aims to bridge multiple tactical communication standards—such as Link-16 (MIL-STD-6016), Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), and Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS)—with beyond-line-of-sight SATCOM channels including Ku-band terminals and potential LEO/MEO satellite constellations.

Key technical objectives include:

Real-time translation between incompatible waveforms
Low-latency routing of ISR feeds from remote sensors to decision-makers
Dynamic spectrum management in congested or contested RF environments
Cyber-resilient architecture with modular open systems approach (MOSA)

This aligns with ongoing Department of Defense initiatives such as the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program—currently operated aboard EQ-4B Global Hawk UAVs and E-11A aircraft—to extend comms reach over mountainous terrain or denied areas.

Operational Relevance in Contested Environments

The ability to maintain secure connectivity across domains is increasingly critical in scenarios where adversaries deploy electronic warfare tools or anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies. An airborne comms gateway acts as a high-altitude relay node that mitigates line-of-sight limitations while enabling distributed kill chains.

This capability supports:

Joint fires coordination between dispersed units
Tactical ISR dissemination from unmanned platforms to command centers
Crisis response operations where terrestrial infrastructure is degraded or absent

The system could also play a role in future multi-domain operations involving manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), where latency-sensitive data exchange across heterogeneous platforms is vital.

Industry Context: Growing Demand for Agile Comms Gateways

The U.S. military has steadily increased investment in agile communication nodes capable of integrating legacy systems with emerging technologies like mesh networking or AI-assisted routing protocols. Programs such as ABMS (Advanced Battle Management System), TITAN ground stations, and Project Convergence all emphasize flexible C2 architectures that can adapt to dynamic threat environments.

Companies including Northrop Grumman (BACN prime contractor), L3Harris Technologies (multi-band radios), Viasat (SATCOM modems), and now SD Government are competing in this domain by offering modular solutions that can be rapidly fielded aboard various airframes—from business jets like the Bombardier Global Express to Group V UAVs or even stratospheric balloons.

Next Steps: Prototyping Toward Operationalization

The current contract covers prototype development through integration testing but does not yet include production options. However, successful demonstration could position SD Government for future USAF programs of record or Foreign Military Sales opportunities under coalition interoperability initiatives such as NATO Federated Mission Networking (FMN).

If proven effective under operational conditions—including electromagnetic interference resilience testing—the system may also be adapted for rotary-wing platforms or deployed via palletized roll-on/roll-off kits aboard cargo aircraft like the C-130J Super Hercules.

Conclusion: Enhancing JADC2 Through Layered Connectivity

This award reflects continued USAF prioritization of layered communication architectures that enable decision advantage across domains. As peer adversaries invest heavily in jamming-resistant networks and space-based ISR denial strategies, systems like SD Government’s airborne comms gateway will be pivotal in ensuring allied forces maintain secure situational awareness across global theaters.