The American military is improving its ability to maintain a global reconnaissance-strike complex.
These satellites will not only detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missile launches; they will also transmit signals between US forces using an existing encrypted tactical data link network known as Link 16. This UHF system is used by NATO and other US allies to allow military aircraft, ships, and land forces to share tactical information through text messages, pictures, data, and voice communication in near real time, according to the SDA's website.
Up to now, Link 16 radios were ubiquitous on fighter jets, helicopters, naval vessels, and missile batteries. But they had a severe limitation. Link 16 was only able to close a radio link with a clear line of sight. The Space Development Agency's satellites will change that, providing direct-to-weapon connectivity from sensors to shooters on Earth's surface, in the air, and in space.
I wrote of the advantages of separating shooters from sensors.
The system isn't just for enabling Golden Dome to shoot down incoming ballistic and other missiles. They will also connect with existing Link 16 systems at the tactical level.
If sea, air, and land shooters are part of the linked system, American forces will have a significant advantage. Until the other side has something similar, of course.
The first elements will cover the western Pacific.
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NOTE: Image from the Space Development Agency in the cited article.
