The Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) officials tracking satellites. JSpOC is part of JFCC Space. Photo: U.S. Air Force/Airman 1st Class Angelina Drake.

[Via Satellite 10-24-2016] U.S. Strategic Command’s (Stratcom) Joint Functional Component Command for Space (JFCC Space) has modified a contract with Kratos to expand Radio Frequency (RF) monitoring, interference detection and geolocation services to now include all Department of Defense (DOD) leased Ku and C-band commercial bandwidth worldwide, and X-band geolocation in select locations. Currently Kratos provides RF services for U.S. Central Command (Centcom) and Pacific Command (Pacom) Areas of Responsibility (AORs). The $6.2 million contract modification expands the company’s services to include the four remaining geographic Combatant Commands (Cocoms): European Command (Eucom), Northern Command (Northcom), Africa Command (Africom) and Southern Command (Socom). In addition to expanding geographic coverage and infrastructure, Kratos will provide event and trend analysis of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) information for contracted DOD leased commercial bandwidth.

Kratos delivers these services from a global network of RF monitoring and interference detection sensors and geolocation systems, which the company uses to serve both commercial and government clients. To provide the DOD with the increased worldwide coverage, Kratos plans to add seven new worldwide monitoring sites, host more than 60 antennas and provide visibility to more than 50 satellites, 100 beams and 200 transponders. Additionally, Kratos will add X-band geolocation capability optimized to meet military requirements.

JFCC Space is responsible for executing continuous, integrated space operations to deliver theater and global effects in support of national and Cocom objectives. This includes monitoring and protecting DOD’s commercially leased satellite bandwidth.