Northrop Grumman’s Enhanced Protected Tactical Satellite Communications Prototype

On June 17, 2026, Northrop Grumman was awarded a US$398 million contract by the U.S. Space Force to build the Enhanced Protected Tactical Satellite Communications Prototype (PTS-P), a satellite designed to provide secure and dependable communications for military operations.

The PTS-P satellite will feature advanced anti-jamming technology and a Protected Tactical Waveform processor installed on a GEOStar-3 satellite platform. It will operate using the Ka-band frequency and will include supporting ground systems and testing once in orbit. The satellite’s design is intended to make future upgrades easier to implement, reducing the need for major redesigns while continuing to meet evolving mission requirements.