CesiumAstro has been awarded a contract led by AFWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), through the Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) program.
CesiumAstro will build, integrate and demo the company’s satellite communications (SATCOM) terminal aboard a General Atomics-ASI MQ-9A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). The $3.6 million award directly supports the Department of Defense’s need for enhanced, higher throughput connectivity aboard airborne vehicles.
The news comes shortly after the company unveiled their industry-first, multi-beam, active electronically steered array (AESA) for commercial and defense in-flight connectivity applications supporting multiple orbits. CesiumAstro’s low-profile, SATCOM antenna provides make-before-break handover with no moving parts, enabling ultra-reliable communications.
Under this contract, CesiumAstro will scale its SATCOM terminal to fit the size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements of a Group 5 unmanned aerial system (UAS). The terminal will be integrated on a General Atomics MQ-9A capital asset to demo connectivity benefits with a commercial satellite network.
CesiumAstro’s AESA is offered in multiple form factors, supporting commercial aircraft to small drones. The thin, tile-based approach allows the rapid scaling of the array to meet the needs of unique mission sets.
In March 2023, CesiumAstro announced plans to fly its in-flight connectivity SATCOM terminal on an Airbus commercial aircraft later this year. This contract with the USAF will demonstrate complementary capabilities, showcasing the scalability and dual-use nature of CesiumAstro’s AESA SATCOM terminal.
“Satellite communications are essential to ensure the warfighter remains connected in future operating environments. We’re thrilled to continue working with our U.S. Air Force partners to demonstrate this critical communications solution.” — Wayne Phelps, retired Marine Corps UAS pilot and Director of Business Development, CesiumAstro
“We are excited to demonstrate the advantages that active phased array satellite communications systems will bring to our family of UAS. This technology is imperative for maintaining a tactical advantage.” — Douglas Hardison, Sector Vice President for Navy and Marine Corps Strategic Development at General Atomics – Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with offices in Broomfield, Colorado; El Segundo, California; and the United Kingdom, CesiumAstro builds high-throughput, software-defined, phased array communications payloads for airborne and space platforms, including satellites, missiles, UASs, and more. CesiumAstro’s full-stack, multi-mission hardware and software solutions enable a range of commercial, civil, and defense objectives. CesiumAstro provides full in-house design, manufacturing, and testing capabilities based on the ISO AS9100 standard.