Military leaders and Pentagon officials are advocating for additional funding to expedite the Space Rapid Capabilities Office’s Satellite Communications Augmentation Resource (SCAR) program, which aims to modernize antennas for the aging Satellite Control Network (SCN). This push was highlighted by Space RCO Director Kelly Hammett during comments made at the annual Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies (AMOS) conference.
Hammett explained that the urgency surrounding the SCAR program has intensified over the past six months in light of rising concerns about potential great power conflicts involving China and Russia. “The importance of SCAR to the future communications architecture for space has been significantly elevated… In a time of conflict, the legacy SCN does not have the capacity to support essential military operations,” he stated. The SCN currently comprises 19 outdated parabolic antennas located globally, which are limited to tracking, telemetry, and command functions with individual satellites.
In contrast, the SCAR program aims to replace these legacy antennas with advanced phased-array antennas that can simultaneously communicate with 18 to 20 satellites. This enhanced capacity is critical as the Space Force continues to deploy an increasing number of satellites. “When we shift to a dynamic space operations environment, the ability to command and control satellites needs to increase significantly,” Hammett emphasized.
The phased-array technology offers several advantages over traditional dish antennas, which have mechanical components that are prone to wear and failure in harsh environments. „Parabolic dishes have a lot of moving parts… with the phased array, you don’t have that,” Hammett explained, highlighting the electronically steerable beams as a more reliable solution.
The Space RCO was established by Congress through the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act as a semi-independent agency tasked with rapidly delivering capabilities to U.S. Space Command. The SCAR initiative, launched in May 2022, secured an Other Transaction Authority award valued at up to $1.4 billion with supplier BlueHalo for the delivery of up to 12 BADGER ground system units, featuring a multi-band, software-defined phased-array antenna design.
First deliveries are already being expedited, with the fiscal 2025 budget request including funding for two additional units in the Indo-Pacific region, expanding the total to three. Hammett indicated there may be interest in acquiring even more units than initially planned.
BlueHalo has proactively prepared for increased production capability, according to Mary Clum, portfolio president and corporate executive vice president. “We set up the manufacturing line ready to build at a capacity greater than the need, with a potential output of 20 units per year,” she shared. Clum also expressed the company’s capability to accelerate deliveries further, potentially providing up to six units by around 2028, emphasizing the urgency of meeting military demands.
As discussions continue with Congress and defense officials, the drive to enhance satellite communications capabilities remains a critical priority for ensuring operational readiness in an increasingly competitive geopolitical landscape.
