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USSF Opens Registration for Second Annual AI Challenge

Tuesday, June 24th, 2025

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

Registration is now open for the United States Space Force’ s second annual Artificial Intelligence Challenge.

The 2025 U.S. Space Force AI Challenge runs from July 16, 2025 and culminates with the awards ceremony at the Space Power Conference in Orlando, Florida, in December 2025. This year’s challenge is designed to foster collaboration and innovation in AI. Participants form teams, engage in learning sessions, and develop AI solutions to address challenges. Teams will present their solutions to technical experts for scoring, and based on scoring, select teams to present their solutions to Department of the Air Force senior leaders in October.

“The 2025 AI Challenge is a team-building activity focused on solving staff, acquisition, and operational problems,” said Col. Nathan Iven, acting deputy chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data at Headquarters, Space Force. “This experience is designed to support innovation and encourage Guardians to leverage disruptive solutions like AI to gain advantage over the pacing threat.”

Open to all military branches and government agencies, teams must have a Space Force Guardian (officer, enlisted and/or civilian) as their lead, and can compete in three categories – Operations, Space Acquisitions or Staff Support.

Five awards will be presented: best AI solution in each of the three functional areas [operations, space acquisitions, staff support], Guardians’ choice, voted on by the Guardian workforce, and grand prize winner.

AI plays a central role in enhancing data utility and providing the analytical power needed to analyze large volumes of data. Chandra Donelson, Data and AI officer for the U.S. Space Force, stated, “I look forward to the solutions our Guardians will build and, more importantly, the partnerships they will establish during this year’s challenges.”

By participating, Guardians and other participants will increase their AI literacy and team-building skills to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Senior leaders are encouraging Guardians to take advantage of the educational series, designed to provide participants with a foundational understanding of AI concepts to facilitate innovation. The Space Force AI Challenge addresses key tasks captured in the Fiscal Year 2025 Data and AI Strategic Action Plan.

Challenge rules

Team Composition: Each team requires a Space Force Guardian (officer, enlisted and/or civilian) as the team lead. Participation is open to all military branches and government agencies.

Tools: Participants are responsible for bringing their own government-approved tools and use publicly-available or fabricated data.

Final submission: Teams must submit a 3–5-minute concept video of their solution, a one paragraph narrative explaining the product, and a 3-5 slide presentation slide deck.

Semi-final judging: Judges will consist of U.S. Space Force data and AI experts/leader who will score the AI solutions against standard criteria. Winners and honorable mentions will be recognized from each functional area.

Guardians choice: All Guardians will have the opportunity to select their favorite solution via online-voting.

Senior leader pitch: Each functional area winning team will have 5 minutes to present their solution and demo their work to a board of senior leaders.

For more information and links to register please visit our CAC enable Guardian One site, or visit our U.S. Space Force AI Challenge MS Teams.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in AI / ML, Guest Post, Space | Comments Off on USSF Opens Registration for Second Annual AI Challenge

Space Force Supports III MEF with Tactical Space Integration

Thursday, June 19th, 2025

OKINAWA, Japan — U.S. Space Force Maj. Ben Pearce and Capt. Hannah Garcia-Park, both with Mission Delta-11 (Space Ranges, Aggressors, Tactics and Exercises), conducted tactical level space operations for the first time in history June 9, 2025, at III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF), Okinawa, Japan.

The Guardians injected critical tactical subject matter expertise directly supporting III MEF’s mission, while also delivering realistic and challenging space aggressor training enhancing the lethality and combat power of the entire joint force.

U.S. Space Force Maj. Ben Pearce, left, and Capt. Hannah Garcia-Park, right, with Space Training and Readiness Command, Mission Delta-11, pose for a photo with U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen Roger B. Turner, left-center, commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Sgt Maj. Christopher J. Adams, right-center, sergeant major of III MEF, on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, June 10, 2025. Pearce and Garcia-Park received challenge coins for their efforts during training with III MEF. The Guardians provided subject-matter expertise directly supporting III MEF training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexander Canal)

“Incorporating Guardians into our formation provides an increase in combat effectiveness,” said Col Brian Greene, operations officer for III MEF. “Their ability to seamlessly integrate space-based assets directly into the battlespace, increasing our lethality, provides III MEF and our partners with a decisive tactical advantage.”

“My experience with III MEF as a Guardian showed me how space is integrated tactically, reinforcing our mission’s importance,” said Park. “Commitment as a Guardian means we ask questions, gain insights, and seek ways to enhance support for the joint warfighter while defending our space domain.”

Mission Delta-11 is a subordinate unit of Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) and delivers realistic, threat-informed test and training environments through the provision of live, virtual, and constructive range and combat replication capability in order to prepare USSF, joint, and allied forces to prevail in a Contested, Degraded, and Operationally Limited environment.

From III Marine Expeditionary Force

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Cubic Digital Intelligence Expands TAKTICS Platform With New Intelligence Feeds for Enhanced Situational Awareness

Wednesday, May 14th, 2025

Delivering powerful radio frequency (RF) intelligence directly to the tactical edge

SAN DIEGO, May 12, 2025 -Cubic Digital Intelligence (CDI), a leader in geospatial and full-motion video software solutions, has announced the integration of advanced RF data and analytics from HawkEye 360 into its TAKTICS platform. These capabilities provide mission-critical insights directly to Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) users, strengthening decision-making at the tactical edge.

“This integration reflects our commitment to delivering powerful, real-time intelligence tools that support the operational needs of modern defense missions,” said Paul Sartorius, VP and General Manager at CDI. “By adding these advanced RF analytics to TAKTICS, we’re giving users the ability to act faster, with greater precision and context.”

TAKTICS is a trusted, web-based hub that rapidly delivers geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) data to users operating in time-sensitive and bandwidth-constrained environments. With the addition of HawkEye 360’s advanced RF data and analytics, TAKTICS now offers enriched intelligence derived from space-based RF signal detections, streamlining access to high-value insights through a single, integrated platform.

Enhanced Domain Awareness

HawkEye 360’s RF geolocation data enhances situational understanding across land and maritime environments by continuously detecting and analyzing emissions from signals of interest. This data supports daily updates to the TAKTICS platform and enables users to identify strategic threats without needing access to classified sources. By providing only the most relevant detections, it supports tip-and-cue workflows that allow analysts to efficiently direct additional sensors, such as EO or SAR, for further investigation. The result is persistent, unclassified insight that reduces analyst workload and strengthens mission planning in high-risk and contested areas.

A Unified Tactical Picture

Through these integrations, TAKTICS continues to evolve as a comprehensive intelligence dissemination platform, enabling secure access to critical GEOINT and RF-derived intelligence across desktop and mobile environments.

With TAKTICS, CDI reinforces its mission to get the right data to the right place at the right time – empowering tactical edge users with superior situational awareness, mission planning, and execution capabilities.

Posted in EW, Press Release, Space, TAK | Comments Off on Cubic Digital Intelligence Expands TAKTICS Platform With New Intelligence Feeds for Enhanced Situational Awareness

US Army Conducts First Battalion-Level All-Domain Home Station Training Exercise

Tuesday, April 15th, 2025

YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash.—Within the foothills of the Cascade Mountain range, the 1st Multi-Domain Effects Battalion (MDEB) from the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) conducted the Army’s first battalion-level All-Domain Home Station Training (HST) exercise, Static Focus 3. Held from March 3-14, the exercise took place at the Yakima Training Center in conjunction with Project Convergence Capstone 5 (PC-C5).

Static Focus 3 enabled live training of the MDEB’s family of systems used to conduct Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) and non-kinetic effects execution. 1MDEB, activated concurrently with 1MDTF in 2020, integrates the task force’s information, intelligence, cyber, electromagnetic warfare, and space capabilities.

A highlight of the training was the network extension integration and deep sensing capability of High-Altitude Balloons (HABs) and the experimentation with ultra long-endurance, solar powered Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).

“This is our first real exercise integrating government owned and operated ultra long-endurance UAS specifically designed for long-range deep sensing,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Mroszczyk, commander of 1MDEB.

Prior to the exercise, the unit spent two years testing and training with the platform alongside the long-endurance UAS system’s contractor, Kraus Hamdani Aerospace. It wasn’t until this event that the Soldiers were able to independently operate the system.

“We’ve got trained pilots and mechanics gaining valuable experience on the platform now,” Lt. Col. Mroszczyk added. “They’re logging hours and providing crucial sensor data, enabling us to serve as the task force’s eyes and ears, and as key contributing Army sensor to the Joint Force.”

During Static Focus 3, 1MDEB logged over a hundred UAS flight hours in various configurations.

“From a maintenance perspective, I was astonished by how little time and resources the platform demanded,” said Sgt. Jake Meyer from the UAS platoon from 1MDEB’s Extended Range and Sensing Effects (ERSE) Company. “Compared to traditional platforms, which require several months to get familiarized with, we were up and running in just two days.”

Max endurance testing was included in the experimentation of the platform, to include multi-ship flights.

“Multi-ship flight operations are the most complex missions, but the autonomous capability allows me, as an operator, to focus on the mission instead of my continuous direct management of each aircraft,” said Staff Sgt. Jacob Wilbert from the UAS platoon from 1MDEB’s ERSE Company.

Complementary to the long-range deep sensing UAS, the unit also experimented with HABs from three vendors, sponsored by the Army Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Task Force for inclusion in the event and in conjunction with PC-C5.

“For me, the highlight of the event was witnessing the successive launches from all three HAB vendors and creating a constellation. Being part of this was exhilarating, because each vendor offered their own unique features and capabilities,” said Sgt. Antonio Morales from 1MDEB’s ERSE Company’s HAB platoon.

Previously, the unit had to travel to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, to access the same level of training. Static Focus 3 not only reduced the cost of traveling to Arizona to train, but also served as a valuable technical rehearsal for future employment.

“The progress that we’ve made over this last week greatly enhanced our capability as a task force,” said Mroszczyk.

As a theater-level unit and Joint Force enabler, assigned to the Indo-Pacific, the 1MDTF plays a vital role in synchronizing long-range precision fires layered with long-range precision effects to create multiple dilemmas and neutralize adversary anti-access and area denial networks. The MDTF’s proven innovation, agility, and lethality have led the Army to direct five full MDTFs in strategically significant locations worldwide.

PC-C5 is an Army hosted experiment that provides Joint and Multinational participants various locations that supports individual modernization efforts while solving problems through applications with Combined, Joint All Domain Operations (CJADO). PC-C5 ensures that the Army, can rapidly and continuously converge effects across all domains – air, land, sea, space, and cyber, to increase operational tempo and generate decision advantage over our adversaries. These structured series of experiments demonstrate transformation and modernization efforts, expand war-winning capabilities, and deliver the Army of 2030 while designing the Army of 2040.

By SSG Brandon Rickert

Posted in Army, CEMA, Guest Post, ISR, Space, UAS | Comments Off on US Army Conducts First Battalion-Level All-Domain Home Station Training Exercise

Rapid Deployable SATCOM Systems for USVs, Small Vessels and Special Operations Forces : Orbit Showcases Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) at Sea Air Space

Friday, April 4th, 2025

Compact solution features roll-on/roll-off capability enabling SATCOM connectivity in minutes

Sea Air Space, Washington DC, April 7-9, 2025 | Booth #T415

April 2, 2025 – Tel Aviv, Israel – Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. (TASE: ORBI), a leading global provider of ground, airborne, and maritime SATCOM terminals, tracking ground station solutions, and mission-critical communication systems, will highlight its MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka SATCOM Systems at Sea Air Space 2025. Specially designed for space-constrained platforms such as Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) and small naval craft and special forces operatrion, the MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka offer powerful, secure, and reliable satellite communication in a compact and lightweight form.

Based on Orbit’s battle-proven Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT), the MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka deliver broadband SATCOM connectivity in minutes, thanks to their rapid roll-on/roll-off capability. With plug-and-play functionality and single-button activation, they are ideal for missions requiring rapid deployment and immediate operational readiness—even in GPS-denied or hostile environments.

The systems support GEO, MEO, LEO, and HEO satellite constellations, ensuring comprehensive global coverage. With high EIRP and G/T values and efficient EIRP Spectral Density (EIRPsd), they provide optimal performance with reduced bandwidth consumption—making them especially suitable for defense forces operating large SATCOM fleets.

Their ruggedized, MIL-STD-compliant construction enablesreliable operation in extreme maritime conditions, while theircompact footprint makes them a perfect fit for small vessels, where every inch of space matters.

“Modern naval operations increasingly rely on unmanned and small platforms that still require robust connectivity,” said Daniel Eshchar, CEO of Orbit. “The MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka rapid deployable systems bring advanced SATCOM capabilities to even the most compact maritime systems, ensuring operational effectiveness and mission continuity.”

Posted in Comms, Press Release, Space | Comments Off on Rapid Deployable SATCOM Systems for USVs, Small Vessels and Special Operations Forces : Orbit Showcases Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) at Sea Air Space

GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle ER Makes First PLEO Flights

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

SAN DIEGO – 12 March 2025 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) conducted its first flight test series of the Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) using a Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) satellite constellation for aircraft communications. Contracted by the U.S. Army, the flight tests began in January 2025 and mark a significant milestone, making GE-ER the first U.S. Army aircraft to be controlled over the new satellite service. Gray Eagle is also the only U.S. Army UAS capable of leveraging Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and PLEO constellations for secure, inflight adaptable and resilient communication, navigation and data management.

The initial testing focused on flight-critical operations, including core aircraft control functions as well as sensor and communications systems. To date, GA-ASI has conducted two GE-ER flights and a series of ground test events using PLEO. Future flight testing is in the planning stages and includes operations across the full flight regime.

The Gray Eagle family of UAS is built on a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) design that includes standardized interfaces and protocols. This approach has enabled rapid integration of the PLEO constellation and other significant capabilities without major technical efforts or extended timelines for integration and testing so new capabilities can be fielded faster.

“The PLEO integration and flight testing continue to show that the current GE-ER open architecture is real. We are practicing rapid integration now which will prove critical to the platform’s survivability and mission success in Multi-Domain Operations,” said GA-ASI Vice President of Army Programs Don Cattell.

Building on the GE-ER, the Gray Eagle 25M (GE 25M), takes MOSA to the next level with a government-owned, government-controlled open architecture that enables plug-and-play capabilities to ensure the platform’s rapid, low-cost adaptability to changing threats. GE 25M incorporates open architecture with ground systems, advanced and modular datalinks, and an upgraded propulsion system. These powerful additions significantly enhance the platform’s ability to rapidly add new capabilities, provide resilience to electronic threats, and deliver expeditionary employment to austere locations. PLEO will be a baseline capability for the 25M system.

The PLEO capability for the GE 25M is just one of several features of the system that maximizes the survivability of the platform. It also provides a low-cost opportunity to drastically increase the operational flexibility of both the Gray Eagle ER and Gray Eagle 25M. The 25M’s MOSA architecture enables use of the higher data rates available on the PLEO system and supports flight operations across the globe from pole to pole. These capabilities, combined with longer-range sensors, anti-jam navigation, and expeditionary ground control systems allow the Gray Eagles to operate outside the threat weapons envelope, but deliver effects hundreds of kilometers beyond the Forward Line of Own Troops, making GE 25M the most survivable aircraft in the Army inventory.

Posted in Aviation, Press Release, Space, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle ER Makes First PLEO Flights

SPACECENT Breaks Ground on Space Campus Project in CENTCOM AOR

Friday, January 31st, 2025

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar (AFNS) —

In a significant milestone for the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Forces – Central officially broke ground on the Space Campus at Al Udeid Air Base, Jan. 14. The ceremony, attended by key personnel and stakeholders, marked the beginning of a new era in space capabilities for the region.

The Space Campus is a major initiative aimed at enhancing the base’s space operations and capabilities in the area. The project is designed to provide a state-of-the-art facility for personnel to work together and advance the mission, supporting the growing demands of space-related activities.

Col. Frank Brooks, Space Forces Central deputy commander, delivered remarks during the ceremony, highlighting the importance of the Space Campus and its role in advancing the base’s space operations.

“[The Campus] represents the ever-growing partnership between the United States and Qatar, a bond forged in trust and strengthened year by year since the 1990s,” Brooks said. “Al Udeid Air Base has been more than just a military installation; it has been a foundation for collaboration and mutual respect.”

The Space Campus is the first project to break ground on the Space Campus site, and its completion is expected to have a significant impact on the base’s ability to support space-related missions.

“This complex will soon become a beacon for the vital space systems and operations that underpin U.S. CENTCOM’s mission of promoting stability, security, and partnership across the region,” Brooks said. “It will stand as a testament to our shared vision for a safer, more secure world.”

The U.S. Space Force continues to play a critical role in regional and global operations. Committed forces maintain 24/7 operations to ensure the safety and sustainability of space and protect our way of life. In addition to protecting the joint and combined forces from space-enabled attacks, Guardians are uniquely trained in warfighting activities in, from and to the space domain. Their mission protects and enables precision navigation and timing systems like GPS, missile warning and satellite communications, as well as helping the general public to find their destinations, track online purchases and get money from an ATM.

The completion of the Al Udeid Space Campus is a major milestone in the development of space capabilities, and its impact will be felt across the region and beyond.

Courtesy Story, United States Air Forces Central

U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman Violette Hosack

Posted in Guest Post, Space | Comments Off on SPACECENT Breaks Ground on Space Campus Project in CENTCOM AOR

Gilat Receives $9 Million in Orders for Multi-Orbit SkyEdge Platforms

Tuesday, January 7th, 2025

Gilat’s SkyEdge IV and SkyEdge II-c Platforms are used to deliver the widest range of connectivity applications

Petah Tikva, Israel, January 6, 2025 — Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ, TASE: GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions, and services, announced today that the Company has received $9 million in orders from major satellite operators. The orders are for its advanced satellite communications platforms, SkyEdge IV and SkyEdge II-c equipment and services. Delivery is scheduled within the next 12 months.

The world’s leading satellite operators use Gilat’s cutting-edge SkyEdge technology to provide unparalleled connectivity across multiple satellite constellations. SkyEdge platforms are designed to deliver robust, high-performance satellite communications for a variety of applications, including maritime, cellular backhaul and enterprise solutions.

“We are excited to support satellite operators around the world and being a leading supplier for multi-orbit solutions,” said Hagay Katz, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Gilat. “Our SkyEdge platforms were designed to meet the demands of next-generation networks, ensuring seamless multi-orbit integration. These orders underscore our dedication to innovation and our ability to empower satellite operators with the flexibility and scalability required to address diverse market needs.”

Posted in International, Press Release, Space | Comments Off on Gilat Receives $9 Million in Orders for Multi-Orbit SkyEdge Platforms