ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 10,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueHalo, the company
transforming the future of global defense by modernizing satellite
operations, announced today its expanded supply chain and
manufacturing investments to support the U.S. Space Force (USSF)
Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) Satellite Communication
Augmentation Resource (SCAR) program. These investments will ensure
quality and reduce both risk and cost for customers while enabling
BlueHalo to manufacture and deliver an increasing number of its
BADGER ground terminal systems. Together with Space RCO, BlueHalo
is building a more resilient space architecture to maintain our
national security posture in an increasingly contested, congested
and competitive space domain.
To expand production capacity, BlueHalo has invested in
automated testing capabilities within its state-of-the-art
manufacturing campus in Albuquerque, New
Mexico. The integrated testing technology allows for
large-scale testing to be completed within days as opposed to a
full month required for manual testing–reducing production
timelines, lowering labor and facility costs, and providing more
reliable and consistent quality across production.
"BlueHalo is investing in innovation that is transforming our
nation's space communications capabilities, but it doesn't end
there," said Mary Clum, BlueHalo
Portfolio President and Corporate Executive Vice President.
"Our strategic investments in automation and robotics on the
manufacturing lines are expanding our ability to produce at scale
and meet the demands of the future while maintaining high standards
of affordability, safety, and quality. Side-by-side with Space RCO,
we are incredibly proud of the work we have done to reduce costs
and risk while delivering one of the most critically urgent
national security priorities of our time."
BlueHalo is also driving delivery of the SCAR program with
supply chain investments, pre-purchasing integral components with
long lead times to prepare for increased production and take
advantage of economies of scale. Key suppliers have adopted similar
early purchasing strategies for enhanced supply chain alignment
across the SCAR program–providing further cost and schedule savings
and reduced risk for the customer.
"The SCAR Program will significantly enhance our satellite
communication capabilities. By leveraging cutting-edge technology,
we're not only increasing capacity but also building a more
resilient and responsive network," said Dr. Kelly Hammett, Director of the Space Rapid
Capabilities Office. "Developing these capabilities ensures
Space Force is equipped to face global challenges in a contested
space environment."
BADGER is a multi-band, deployable ground communications system
built upon BlueHalo's core MSDA technology, a scalable phased array
solution that simplifies mission operations through agile and
re-configurable beamforming tiles. The SCAR program, announced in
May of 2022, covers initial design through full-rate production of
BADGER to deliver a fleet of transportable, ground-based
phased-array antennas. Other primary components of the SCAR program
include the development and delivery of accompanying ground
electronics and software to provide robust, flexible communications
capabilities for USSF satellites.
BlueHalo previously announced other key program milestones,
including the USSF Guardian orientation held earlier this year and
the successful demonstration of BADGER's satellite tracking and
signal processing last fall. The program is planning for initial
delivery in 2025.
About BlueHalo
BlueHalo is purpose-built to provide
industry-leading capabilities in the areas of Space, C-UAS and
Autonomous Systems, Electronic Warfare & Cyber, and AI/ML. The
company develops and brings to market next-generation capabilities
to support customers' critical missions and national security.
Learn more at http://www.bluehalo.com and follow BlueHalo
on LinkedIn.
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SOURCE BlueHalo