DARPA has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth $5.8 million for the first phase of satellite integration on the Blackjack program.
Lockheed Martin will define and manage interfaces between the Blackjack bus, payload and Pit Boss – its autonomous, space-based command and data processor. Additional scope includes testbed validation of internal and external vehicle interfaces. Program work will primarily be performed in Sunnyvale, California.
“Lockheed Martin has built and integrated a variety of payload types and sizes for every type of mission and we bring all of that experience to the Blackjack program,” said Sarah Reeves, vice president of Missile Defense Programs at Lockheed Martin. “This is an exciting new approach to plug-n-play design for LEO and we are up for the challenge.”
DARPA’s Blackjack program aims to develop and demonstrate the critical elements for a global high-speed network in low earth orbit (LEO) that provides the US Department of Defense with highly connected, autonomous, resilient, and persistent coverage employing multiple payload types and missions.
Future phases of Blackjack are expected to include build, test, and launch of a demonstration constellation in 2021-2022.
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Blackjack DARPA Lockheed Martin
Post written by: Matt Brown
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