The U.S. Space Force has officially named its new ground-moving target indicator satellite program the Resilient Radar System-Ground (RRS-G) and confirmed Northrop Grumman as the prime contractor for building the satellites. The service plans to begin launching the constellation by 2028, shifting critical surveillance missions from airborne sensors to space-based platforms. Lt. Gen. Gregory Gagnon stated that the first RRS-G satellites will launch within the next two years.
What it means
The Pentagon is restructuring how it tracks ground and aerial targets, moving away from a reliance on manned and unmanned aircraft toward dedicated orbital systems. To support this shift, the Space Force established the 77th Surveillance Squadron last month, marking its first unit dedicated to space-based sensing and tracking. This squadron will operate the RRS-G constellation in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Gen. Stephen Whiting met with NRO officials this week to coordinate these moving target indicator operations, noting that there is a solid plan across the department to bring these capabilities to fruition at U.S. Space Command.
Beyond ground tracking, the Space Force is advancing its airborne tracking mission (AMTI). Air Force Secretary Troy Meink stated on Monday that the first AMTI satellite will launch this month, with an initial constellation expected to be operational by 2028. SpaceX received a multibillion-dollar award in May for the AMTI mission. The fiscal 2027 budget request includes $1.02 billion for GMTI procurement and over $7 billion in reconciliation funds for the AMTI mission, alongside roughly $1.1 billion for related research and development. Additionally, Col. Timothy Trimailo indicated that commercial vendors will soon be contracted for space domain awareness services under the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR), following pilot contracts awarded to four companies last year.
Key facts
- Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the Resilient Radar System-Ground (RRS-G) satellites.
- Space Force plans to begin launching RRS-G satellites by 2028, with Lt. Gen. Gregory Gagnon citing a two-year window.
- The 77th Surveillance Squadron was established last month as the first space-based sensing and tracking unit.
- Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the first AMTI satellite will launch this month.
- An initial AMTI constellation is planned to be operational by 2028; SpaceX received a multibillion-dollar award for the mission in May.
- The fiscal 2027 budget requests $1.02 billion for GMTI procurement and over $7 billion in reconciliation funds for AMTI.
- Roughly $1.1 billion is requested for R&D using combined baseline and reconciliation funding.
- Four companies received pilot contracts for space domain awareness work under CASR last year.
Source: Defense News, reporting Space Force announcements