Counterspace Systems

The Counterspace Systems program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 1206421SF, is a United States Space Force (USSF) and Air Force initiative focused on the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of technologies and systems designed to ensure space superiority by providing both offensive and defensive counterspace capabilities. The primary objectives of this program are to develop, integrate, and sustain systems that can disrupt adversary satellite communications and protect U.S. and allied space assets from electromagnetic interference and other threats in contested environments. This program is categorized under Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD), indicating its focus on engineering and manufacturing development tasks prior to full-rate production.

Counter Satellite Communications System (CCS) is the main line item within this program element. The CCS program's goal is to provide expeditionary, deployable, and reversible offensive space control effects, specifically targeting adversary satellite communications (SATCOM) in areas of responsibility (AORs). The CCS system is intended to prevent adversaries from using SATCOM for command and control, early warning, and propaganda purposes, while also supporting rapid reaction capabilities in response to urgent operational needs. The program is structured as a Pre-planned Product Improvement Program (P3I), incrementally upgrading the system through developments such as Block 10 and Block 20 to meet evolving requirements as directed by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) and Air Force Space Command (AFSPC).

Within the CCS line, the Meadowlands development (Block 10.3) is a significant recent focus. FY 2025 efforts include completing system delivery and integrating Meadowlands into the broader CCS architecture, including mission-specific emulators, training environments, and multi-range integration. The program will also support integrated testing, transition to operational status, and provide interim contractor support (ICS) for sustainment and reach-back support. These activities are justified by the need to maintain system resiliency and situational awareness in increasingly contested space domains.

Another critical component is the Electromagnetic Warfare Threat Integration Program (EWTIP), previously known as the CCS Emerging Threat Integration Program (CETIP). EWTIP is an agile software development effort aimed at rapidly fielding new software capabilities, cyber techniques, and minor hardware solutions to address emerging and evolving threats in the electromagnetic spectrum. The program's objectives include conducting studies, risk reduction, technical analysis, prototyping, and testing of new mission techniques such as new antenna band developments to ensure the U.S. maintains an effective electromagnetic warfare (EW) posture against adversary advancements. EWTIP leverages partnerships with commercial, U.S. government, and international entities to accelerate innovation and response times.

The Bounty Hunter (BH) program is another line item under PE 1206421SF, focusing on ground-based, deployable electronic warfare support (EWS) systems. BH is designed to provide SATCOM geolocation and interference detection to support defensive space control for U.S. systems in specific AORs. The program's objectives include monitoring, detecting, characterizing, and geolocating both friendly and unfriendly electromagnetic interference (EMI) across multiple radio frequency bands, thereby supporting U.S. Joint Forces' command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) systems. The program is undergoing agile development to address an ever-changing threat environment, with a particular emphasis on automation and machine learning to reduce operational manning and enhance system responsiveness.

In FY 2025 and FY 2026, Bounty Hunter will continue to develop and deploy smaller form factor systems capable of remote operations and mesh networking, enabling more flexible and resilient deployment options. The program is also working toward establishing unmanned or reduced-crew systems, further automating signal processing through machine learning, and integrating all remote operations across the BH fleet. These enhancements are intended to accelerate mission execution, reduce manpower requirements, and improve the system's ability to respond to dynamic operational needs.