US Army Reserve soldiers have begun using SpaceX’s Starshield communication system to enhance decision-making on the battlefield.
The system, which leverages laser-linked satellites, delivers high-bandwidth, low-latency data transfer to any device worldwide, offering upload speeds between 300 to 500 megabits per second, with latencies as low as 25 milliseconds.
“It’s a five-terabyte global plan that we use to activate our Starlinks and essentially make them Starshields,” stated army captain Harvey Degree.
Compared to traditional satellite terminals, which measure about 12 feet (3.7 meters) long and 20 feet (6.1 meters) tall, the square-shaped Starshield system stands at around two feet (24 inches) on each side.
Designed to be “civilian-friendly,” the system comes ready to use right out of the box, reducing the time soldiers need to get up to speed.
“We’ve been using this new system for about five days. You just grab it out of the box, put it up, there you go,” said army sergeant Chandon Otten.
SpaceX and the US Military
SpaceX’s technology has become increasingly integral to US military operations.
Last April, the US Space Force awarded the company a $6-billion contract for 28 rocket launches. Starlink capabilities have also been integrated into presidential helicopters and navy aircraft carriers.
Now, the army is tapping SpaceX’s “military-grade” satellite tech to address communication challenges, including recent issues with Black Hawk helicopters losing contact with Pentagon air traffic controllers, forcing two commercial jets to abort their landings.
Starshield’s satellite-to-satellite laser links reportedly offer a direct fix by enabling quick reroutes between satellites, minimizing the impact of any signal loss.
“SpaceX’s ongoing work with the Department of Defense and other partners demonstrates our ability to provide in-space and on-ground capability at scale,” the company stated.
