Viasat has been selected by the U.S. Space Force to develop the next-generation Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) system under a new contract award. The program aims to deliver globally available, resilient satellite communications for warfighters operating in contested and congested environments.
Strategic Context: Resilient Comms in Contested Domains
The PTS-G initiative is part of the broader Protected Anti-Jam Tactical SATCOM (PATS) family of programs within the U.S. Department of Defense’s effort to modernize military satellite communications (MILSATCOM). As adversaries increasingly target space-based assets with jamming and cyber attacks, the need for assured connectivity—especially in denied or degraded environments—has become critical.
PTS-G is designed to extend secure tactical communications beyond regional coverage areas by leveraging geostationary (GEO), medium earth orbit (MEO), and low earth orbit (LEO) constellations. It will support Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) operations by enabling protected waveform access across multiple orbital layers.
Contract Details and Viasat’s Role
According to Viasat’s announcement on October 12, 2025, the company was awarded a contract by the U.S. Space Systems Command’s Military Communications & Positioning, Navigation and Timing Directorate. While specific contract values remain undisclosed publicly as of this writing, industry estimates suggest that each PTS-G prototype phase could exceed $100 million over several years.
Under this agreement, Viasat will design and demonstrate a PTS-G space segment prototype that integrates with existing and future ground terminals using the Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW). Viasat’s solution is expected to include advanced anti-jam capabilities via beamforming antennas and adaptive nulling techniques.
The company will also leverage its experience from previous DoD SATCOM programs—including its work on Link-16 over LEO—and its acquisition of Inmarsat to build out global interoperability across commercial and military satellite infrastructure.
Technical Capabilities: What Makes PTS-G Different
The core enabler of PTS-G is its use of PTW—a frequency-hopping waveform developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory—which provides low probability of intercept/detection (LPI/LPD), anti-jam resilience, and dynamic spectrum access. Unlike legacy MILSATCOM systems such as Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF), which are limited in bandwidth and geographic scope, PTW can be deployed flexibly across multiple platforms.
- Waveform: Protected Tactical Waveform with adaptive coding/modulation
- Orbit Agnostic: Compatible with GEO/MEO/LEO satellites
- Antenna Tech: Electronically steerable arrays supporting multi-beam operations
- Cyber Resilience: Built-in encryption and authentication layers aligned with NSA Type-1 standards
- User Terminals: Designed for integration with airborne platforms, ground vehicles, maritime nodes
This flexibility aligns with DoD priorities under JADC2 to ensure seamless data flow across domains—land, air, sea, space—under contested conditions.
Program Timeline and Milestones Ahead
The PTS-G effort builds on earlier phases of DoD’s Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES) architecture. The current phase focuses on demonstrating end-to-end capability via prototype satellites scheduled for launch before FY2027. Viasat’s deliverables will likely include an on-orbit demonstration vehicle capable of live PTW transmissions integrated with operational terminals.
The program runs parallel to other efforts such as Boeing’s work under the original PTS program awarded in March 2020. Boeing launched its own prototype satellite in mid-2024 for testing under similar requirements. The inclusion of multiple contractors reflects a deliberate strategy by USSF to diversify vendor base while accelerating tech maturation through competition.
Implications for Future MILSATCOM Architecture
If successful, PTS-G could serve as a bridge between legacy systems like AEHF and future hybrid architectures that blend commercial capacity with military-grade protections. The ability to operate across orbital regimes also supports resilience against kinetic threats such as ASAT weapons or co-orbital interference tactics increasingly observed from near-peer adversaries like China or Russia.
This program also complements broader initiatives such as SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), which seeks layered LEO constellations for tactical data transport. Interoperability between these systems will be essential in enabling real-time targeting updates or Blue Force Tracking over denied terrain without relying solely on terrestrial infrastructure.
Industry Landscape: Competitive Pressure Mounts
The award marks another milestone in Viasat’s post-Inmarsat acquisition strategy aimed at becoming a vertically integrated global satcom provider spanning commercial aviation markets to defense-grade services. However, competition remains intense from incumbents like Boeing Defense & Space Systems and Northrop Grumman Mission Systems—both of which have active roles in related protected comms programs.
L3Harris Technologies is also pursuing innovations in agile waveform processing through its Army TITAN node integration efforts. Meanwhile Lockheed Martin continues development on Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) targeting nuclear command-and-control missions—a different but complementary layer within overall MILSATCOM modernization strategy.
