Home / Technology / SDA Taps AST SpaceMobile for Military Broadband Tests
SDA Taps AST SpaceMobile for Military Broadband Tests
23 Feb
Summary
- SDA awarded AST SpaceMobile a $30 million contract for broadband demonstration.
- Tests aim to showcase direct satellite communications for military devices.
- AST's BlueBird satellites will integrate with existing tactical radios.
The Space Development Agency (SDA) announced a $30 million contract with AST SpaceMobile on February 23rd, 2026. This award aims to demonstrate AST's space-based broadband technology for military use. The agreement, under SDA's Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (HALO) program, facilitates rapid on-orbit experiments.
AST SpaceMobile will use its BlueBird satellite constellation to prove resilient, low-latency tactical satellite communications directly to government end devices. The company will also demonstrate seamless integration with existing tactical military radios. These tests are scheduled for completion by December 2027.
SDA, a U.S. Space Force organization, is developing the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. The HALO program serves as a testing ground for technologies that could be incorporated into future operational satellite layers. AST's demonstration falls under HALO's "Europa" procurement, part of the Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System.
This contract supports AST SpaceMobile's efforts to position its consumer-focused broadband system for defense applications. The company has previously tested its BlueWalker-3 satellite under an earlier SDA agreement and is preparing to launch BlueBird-7 on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket.
