Military Communications

The Department of Defense Inspector General declined a congressional request to investigate Starlink and Starshield disruptions in Ukraine, finding that contract oversight rests with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Officials say service has returned to normal; the decision points to contract administration, not a new procurement opportunity.

The U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center’s Nuclear Networks Division will hold a December 9, 2026, industry day on the planned GASNTi2b2 strategic ground-based high-frequency communications capability. The market-research event will present a preliminary overview and gather input for acquisition planning; it is not a solicitation, and registration is due November 24.

Defense News coverage points to interest in ground and aerial robotics, counter-drone capabilities, resilience to GPS jamming, and satellite communications for longer-range operations. The page identifies no solicitation, award, funding, procurement vehicle, or acquisition timeline, so it is a market signal—not an active bid opportunity.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Raytheon an $8 billion contract to specialize in the modernization of nuclear communications terminals. This contract, with a delivery schedule extending through 2036, opens avenues for subcontracting opportunities, especially for suppliers in communication technologies.

The Space Development Agency has delivered 21 satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. This effort enhances military communications and satellite connectivity, with implications for contract opportunities in satellite systems. Upcoming launches will expand global coverage for U.S. military capabilities.

The Canadian government has awarded Telesat a $2.3 billion CAD contract to enhance military satellite communications in the Arctic, with service commencing in 2028. This contract underscores significant investment in satellite capabilities, promoting heightened defense interoperability and modernization in remote regions.

The LGL Group's Precise Time and Frequency (PTF) has been awarded a contract to supply advanced timing instruments to enhance military communications across the Indo-Pacific over two years. This initiative emphasizes the need for reliable solutions in GPS-denied environments, serving as a significant procurement opportunity for defense contractors.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $2 billion contract for the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Phase II program, supporting satellite design and testing through 2035. This long-term investment underscores ongoing opportunities in satellite manufacturing and military communication enhancements for contractors in the sector.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded a $2.29 billion contract to SpaceX to develop a global satellite network aimed at enhancing military communications. This partnership underscores the strategic importance of commercial partnerships in defense technology and presents substantial opportunities for contractors in satellite communications and rapid prototyping.

Space Systems Command awarded General Dynamics Mission Systems a $106 million task order to sustain and modernize the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) ground segment. This investment reflects ongoing support for military satellite communications, with potential future tasks expected to extend through 2031 that could reach nearly $295 million.