The U.S. Space Force is preparing to deploy its first batch of a new ground-based satellite communications jammer in the upcoming months. This system is designed to disrupt signals from enemy spacecraft, enhancing the military’s capabilities in electronic warfare.

On December 11, 2023, Space Operations Command approved the Remote Modular Terminals (RMT) for initial fielding, according to a spokesperson from Defense News. The Space Force plans to field 11 systems as part of this initial release, allowing military users to test the technology before it is fully accepted for operations. The program is funded to construct around 160 systems, with expectations of needing as many as 200 in the future.

The Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO), based at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, leads the RMT program. Kelly Hammett, the Space RCO Director, emphasized that these small, modular terminals are intended to block adversary communications from satellites that monitor U.S. and allied forces, particularly in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. He noted their purpose is to disrupt enemy communications and targeting links during a media briefing at the Spacepower Conference held in Orlando, Florida.

U.S. concerns are particularly focused on the surveillance satellites launched by China in recent years, particularly the Yaogan series, which offer continuous coverage of the Indo-Pacific region. The latest satellite in this series, Yaogan-41, was launched into geostationary orbit late last year and is capable of tracking car-sized objects, according to a January 2024 report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Hammett explained that the RMT jammers would act to prevent enemy radars from issuing commands to attack U.S. assets. He did not disclose the specific locations for the initial deployments but noted that they have been identified. Operators will have the capability to control the systems remotely from within the U.S.

The contracts for the RMT program were awarded 18 months ago in partnership with Northstrat, a small Virginia-based company, which collaborated with a larger firm, Khaki, to develop the terminals using off-the-shelf technology. Each terminal is compact, with an estimated cost of $1.5 million, a price Hammett described as highly competitive for space electronic warfare systems.

Courtney Albon is reporting for C4ISRNET, where she serves as a space and emerging technology reporter. She has extensive experience covering the U.S. military since 2012, focusing on the Air Force and Space Force, as well as significant acquisition, budgeting, and policy challenges within the Defense Department.