U.S. Space Force and SpaceX Partner to Develop 480-Satellite MILNET Constellation for Global Military Operations – SatNews

By Jessica Fisher Editor

The U.S. Space Force (USSF) has confirmed the deployment of a dedicated military satellite communications architecture, designated ‘MILNET,’ in partnership with SpaceX.

(The United States of America) The U.S. Space Force and SpaceX have confirmed the deployment of a dedicated military satellite communications architecture, designated “MILNET,” according to SatNews – the MILNET constellation will comprise 490 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) using the Starshield platform, which utilizes SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts.

Satellite image courtesy of SatNews.

MILNET’s satellites are designed to provide high-bandwidth, resilient communications for global military operations. The USSF expects the first batch of dedicated MILNET satellites to be deployed in mid-2026, and initial operating capability is projected for late 2027, according to SatNews.

MILNET is designed to operate as a high-capacity “backbone” layer alongside the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) currently being built by the Space Development Agency (SDA), according to SatNews.

Specifically, MILNET will deliver high-bandwidth, low-latency secure communications for global military operations with direct tactical links to aircraft, ships, and ground units, according to S.E. Robinson, Jr. (of ELONCHRON)’s X account, @SERobinsonJr.

MILNET Technical Specifications and Security info from SatNews:

“The MILNET satellites will operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and utilize Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISL)—standardized laser communications terminals—to form a mesh network that reduces reliance on ground stations. Key technical parameters include:

Satellite Count: ~480 units.
Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Encryption: National Security Agency (NSA) High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptor (HAIPE) compliance for classified data transport.
Infrastructure: Interoperable with both Starshield and SDA-compliant ground terminals.

SpaceX has begun production of these units, which adapt the Starshield bus to host specific USSF communications payloads while retaining the hardening requirements mandated by the NRO’s baseline standards.”