Lockheed Martin will supply an advanced anti-jamming payload for Japan’s next-generation defense satellite communications system, awarded to Mitsubishi Electric by Japan’s Ministry of Defense. The payload is designed to enhance resistance to interference and ensure interoperability with allied nations.
Lockheed Martin will develop the payload in Colorado, while Mitsubishi Electric will handle final assembly and testing in Japan, resulting in a domestically produced geostationary defense communications satellite. The new system will succeed Japan’s current X-band satellite and expand frequency capacity to meet growing communication demands.
The partnership also signals broader cooperation between the two companies on future defense satellite projects across the Asia-Pacific region. Lockheed Martin writes:
Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), developer of space-based national security solutions, will provide a robust anti-jamming payload for Japan’s Next-Generation Defense Satellite Communication System which was awarded to Mitsubishi Electric by the Japan Ministry of Defense.
Serving as a mission partner to Mitsubishi Electric, Lockheed Martin’s advanced payload will help maximize the satellite’s capabilities. The payload will provide interoperability with allied and partner nations and enhance the satellite communications’ resistance to interference.
“We look forward to collaborating with Mitsubishi Electric to deliver a proven, next-generation communications capability for Japan,” said Jeff Schrader, vice president, Strategy & Business Development at Lockheed Martin Space. “With our significant investments in advanced design and manufacturing and a focus on international growth and support of our allies, we’re bringing spacecraft solutions forward quickly to meet the needs of our global customers.”
The payload will be developed at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Colorado, while Mitsubishi Electric will complete final assembly, integration and test (AI&T) in Japan. Once final AI&T is completed, the program will provide Japan with a domestically-produced defense communications satellite for geostationary orbit. The new satellite will serve as the successor to the current operational X-band defense communication satellite and will expand the frequency bands to meet the anticipated increase in communication demands.
What’s Next: Continued Collaboration to Support Asia-Pacific Defense
Prior to embarking on this unprecedented collaboration, Lockheed Martin and Mitsubishi Electric signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on geostationary defense communications satellites. In addition to this payload, the companies will work together to identify opportunities to bring additional geostationary communications satellites to Japan and other partner nations in the Asia-Pacific region, while evaluating partnership structures.
“With a long history of international partnerships and defense expertise, Lockheed Martin has a deep understanding of our customers’ priorities and mission needs in the Asia-Pacific region,” adds Schrader. “We’re excited to offer a solution that can be used as a common payload to global partners looking for protected, anti-jamming defense satellite communications in geostationary orbit.”
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