Via Satellite illustration

CACI has signed an R&D agreement with the U.S. Army to develop advanced payload technologies, space sensor applications, and resilient Positioning, Navigation & Timing (PNT). The agreement is a five-year cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Technical Center (USASMDC-TC), CACI announced Monday. There is no funding associated with CRADAs. 

CACI is planning to launch a demonstration satellite early this year with two mission payloads, which will demonstrate alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (APNT) and tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The Army Space and Missile Defense Technical Center is interested in evaluating these technologies for military use. 

The CRADA also includes technologies for laser communications, laser sensing, artificial intelligence, and secure communication technologies. CACI acquired lasercom provider SA Photonics in 2021, and last year demonstrated optical inter-satellite links in a mission with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Space Development Agency (SDA).

“These payloads feature mission-proven, ground-based technologies that are tailored for the unique challenges of the contested space domain. They enable increased resiliency and security through low size, weight, and power software-defined applications. We look forward to working closely with the Army on this critical program to bolster our nation’s dominance in space,” commented Todd Probert, CACI president of National Security and Innovative Solutions.