Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Capability

The Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Capability program, under Army Program Element PE 0604035A, is a research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on advancing tactical space-based capabilities for Army land component forces. The primary objective is to address critical gaps in Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO), specifically by countering adversarial surveillance and reconnaissance systems that threaten friendly maneuver forces. The program integrates data from national, Department of Defense (DoD), commercial, and high-altitude sensors into Army and Joint ground architectures to enhance resilient communications, assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), and all-domain sensing capabilities.

The main line item within this program focuses on prototyping, experimentation, and risk reduction activities. The emphasis is on developing and fielding prototypes that close capability gaps in all-domain sensing and provide command and control (C2) for countering adversarial surveillance and reconnaissance. The program leverages advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to automate processing, exploitation, and dissemination (PED) in the targeting process, including target recognition and advanced algorithm development.

A key goal of the program is to enable rapid and responsive all-domain targeting applications that support Army and Joint Services Family of Integrated Targeting Cells (FIT-C). By supporting wide-area, responsive, and deep-area sensing, the program aims to significantly reduce Sensor to Shooter (S2S) timelines and enable freedom of maneuver for operational forces. Ground stations are developed to dynamically task, receive, and disseminate data, directly supporting live-fire demonstrations and assessments that inform future system requirements and operational concepts.

The program also supports prototyping and experimentation of C2 architectures for counter-ISR capabilities, as well as integration of navigation warfare (NAVWAR) and PNT technologies. These efforts are tested in denied, degraded, intermittent, or limited (DDIL) operating environments to ensure resilience and operational effectiveness. The Army conducts multiple assessment events, such as the Assured Position, Navigation, Timing and Space (APNT/S) Cross Functional Team Campaign of Learning and Army Futures Command Capstone Exercises, to evaluate integrated ISR, PNT, BMC2, and communications data in realistic operational settings.

In addition to technical development, the program emphasizes iterative demonstration and experimentation cycles, including Soldier touchpoints and live-fire exercises across various Army commands. These cycles are critical for rapid concept development, technology insertion, and refinement of tactics, techniques, and procedures. The program's activities are closely aligned with Army Campaign Plan Objectives, such as seeing and sensing farther, conducting precise long-range fires, ensuring survivable and resilient formations, and rapidly communicating and sharing data for decision dominance.

Funding within the LEO Satellite Capability program is distributed across prototype development and engineering services, infrastructure capabilities development, and test and evaluation activities. Contracts are awarded to multiple performing activities, with ongoing investments supporting knowledge transfers to inform space-related capability requirements and future acquisition strategies. The program is designed to complement related efforts, ensuring a coordinated approach to multi-domain deep sensing, penetration of threat anti-access/area denial (A2AD), and long-range fires.