Protected Tactical Service (PTS)

The Protected Tactical Service (PTS) program, managed by the United States Space Force (USSF) under Air Force Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Budget Activity 4, is designed to address the growing threat of electronic warfare and jamming against military satellite communications (SATCOM). The overarching goal of PTS is to provide tactical warfighters with resilient, anti-jam, low-probability-of-intercept communications in both benign and highly contested environments. This is achieved through the development and deployment of advanced satellite payloads, waveforms, and supporting ground infrastructure. The program leverages the Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) for enhanced security and interoperability.

Protected Tactical SATCOM - Global (PTS-G) is a key component of the PTS program, focusing on the engineering, development, and manufacturing of payloads and satellites capable of X-band and military Ka-band communications. The Space Systems Command (SSC) is responsible for developing both the space and ground segments, which include system controllers, gateways, and integration with existing PTES infrastructure. Objectives for FY 2025 and FY 2026 include releasing requests for proposals, awarding contracts for design and demonstration, and beginning production of space vehicles. PTS-G aims to provide moderate assured access communications globally, initially targeting select regions and expanding toward worldwide coverage.

Protected Tactical SATCOM (PTS-P and PTS-R) encompasses rapid prototyping and technology maturation activities. The initial phase utilizes rapid prototyping authorities to incrementally deploy payloads with demonstrated anti-jam capabilities. This includes technical baseline development, systems engineering, integration, risk reduction, and on-orbit demonstrations. The follow-on phase transitions to a major capability acquisition pathway, focusing on purpose-built satellites with full signal processing and switching capabilities to enable direct user connectivity. Efforts for FY 2025 and FY 2026 include contract awards for technology maturation, systems engineering, preliminary and critical design reviews, and preparation for engineering and manufacturing development.

Space Hub End Cryptographic Unit (ECU) development is a critical risk reduction effort within PTS. The NSA-certified, space-flight qualified ECU is integrated with PTS payloads to ensure secure communications. Activities for FY 2025 and FY 2026 include final integration, NSA certification, troubleshooting during space vehicle integration, and planning for obsolescence replacement to support future acquisitions. This effort mitigates high-risk areas in cryptographic security and supports program success.

Ground Segment and Gateway Development efforts focus on enhancing mission management and key management systems, integrating with the PTES program, and developing gateway terminals for tactical warfighter connectivity to the global DoD Information Network. Plans for FY 2025 and FY 2026 include integration, testing, and installation of gateway prototypes, as well as modifications to mission management software for improved situational awareness and operational support. These activities support the deployment and operationalization of PTS capabilities across multiple service branches and international partners.

Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) Testbed serves as the reference standard for PTW and key management system development, supporting interoperability testing across space, ground, and user terminal segments. The testbed enables early integration and reduces risks for PTS-P and PTS-R programs, as well as outreach to coalition partners. FY 2025 and FY 2026 activities include ongoing development, deployment, and support for PTW-enabled modems, integration with commercial and government assets, and validation of PTW as a core tactical waveform for the Department of Defense.

The acquisition strategy for PTS emphasizes rapid prototyping, competitive contract awards, and incremental capability deployment, leveraging lessons learned from previous SATCOM programs and commercial practices. The program involves multiple agencies, including SSC, NSA, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, and various government and industry partners. The objective is to deliver resilient, scalable, and interoperable protected tactical communications to meet current and emerging warfighter requirements in a timely and cost-effective manner, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to evolving threats and operational needs.