INDIAN ARMED FORCES CHIEFS ON OUR RELENTLESS AND FOCUSED PUBLISHING EFFORTS

 
SP Guide Publications puts forth a well compiled articulation of issues, pursuits and accomplishments of the Indian Army, over the years

— General Manoj Pande, Indian Army Chief

"Over the past 60 years, the growth of SP Guide Publications has mirrored the rising stature of Indian Navy. Its well-researched and informative magazines on Defence and Aerospace sector have served to shape an educated opinion of our military personnel, policy makers and the public alike. I wish SP's Publication team continued success, fair winds and following seas in all future endeavour!"

— Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Indian Navy Chief

Since, its inception in 1964, SP Guide Publications has consistently demonstrated commitment to high-quality journalism in the aerospace and defence sectors, earning a well-deserved reputation as Asia's largest media house in this domain. I wish SP Guide Publications continued success in its pursuit of excellence.

— Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Indian Air Force Chief
SP's Military Yearbook 2021-2022
SP's Military Yearbook 2021-2022
       

Northrop Grumman Selected to Deliver Nearly 40 More Data Transport Satellites for Space Development Agency's Next Generation Low-Earth Orbit Constellation of Connectivity

October 30, 2023 Redondo Beach, Calif. Photo(s): By Artist Rendering / Northrop Grumman
An artist's rendering of Northrop Grumman's Tranche 2 Transport Layer satellites on orbit. Space Development Agency announced October 30 it had awarded Northrop Grumman 38 satellites as part of its Tranche 2 Transport Layer Alpha program.

The Space Development Agency (SDA) awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation an agreement with a total potential value of approximately $732 million to design and build 38 data transport satellites. These satellites will support Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Alpha (T2TL-Alpha), the latest iteration of SDA's low-Earth orbit Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).

  • This Alpha announcement follows an August 2023 award to Northrop Grumman of 36 satellites as part of Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Beta (T2TL-Beta); Alpha and Beta satellites are designed to interoperate on orbit.
  • This contract includes supporting ground elements and five years of operations and sustainment with the satellites scheduled to launch starting December 2026.
  • Northrop Grumman was also awarded a contract for Tranche 1 Transport Layer 1 (T1TL), which similarly provide low latency, high volume data transport supporting U.S. military missions around the world.
  • Northrop Grumman's approach to the PWSA contracts is to combine our satellite technology and mission experience with strategic commercial partnerships to move at the pace the environment demands.

Expert:

Blake Bullock, vice president, communication systems, Northrop Grumman: “Northrop Grumman, in partnership with our industry teammates, is fully committed to the Space Development Agency's vision of fielding a next-generation, low-Earth orbit architecture connecting and protecting our warfighters wherever they serve. Our Northrop Grumman team is bringing our deep Military SATCOM experience to this mission, and we're executing on our commitments.”

Details on the Proliferated Warfighter Space Network:

Northrop Grumman provides both space vehicles and ground systems for the SDA's PWSA, a next-generation constellation in low-Earth orbit. PWSA has two major lines of effort:

  • The Transport Layer: Designed to provide low-latency, high volume data connectivity supporting U.S. military missions around the world.
  • The Tracking Layer: Designed to detect, track and ultimately target hypersonic and ballistic missiles.

Both layers are designed to interoperate in space using a common data standard allowing satellites made by various manufacturers to communicate seamlessly with one another. Taken together, these satellites are designed to connect elements of an integrated sensing architecture, and the network they create will deliver persistent, secure connectivity, serving as a critical element for Joint All Domain Command Control.

To date, SDA has announced awards to Northrop Grumman of 132 satellites.