Space Development Agency awards major contract to Iridium and GDMS for Enhanced Ground System Integration
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 16, 2024

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a global leader in satellite communications, has announced that the Space Development Agency (SDA) awarded a $491.6 million contract modification to the partnership of General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) and Iridium. The contract supports the Ground Management and Integration (GMI) program for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), with Iridium's portion valued at $239 million over five years. This contract follows the 2022 award for Operations and Integration to establish ground entry points and operations centers and manage network operations and systems integration.

"We are committed to delivering SDA and our warfighters an innovative and effective ground system that leverages the many years of Iridium's unparalleled commercial LEO development and operations expertise, helping to ensure they are prepared for the challenges of today and the future," stated Scott Scheimreif, executive vice president, government programs at Iridium. "Iridium is excited to be part of this groundbreaking SDA program with our partner General Dynamics Mission Systems."

With over two decades of experience managing a crosslinked low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, Iridium is recognized as a leader in commercial satellite communications. The company's expertise encompasses ground segment operations, orbital management, and space sustainability, positioning it well to support the SDA's initiative to incorporate innovative commercial strategies to swiftly deploy advanced space technologies for military use.

Under the new contract modification, the GDMS-Iridium team will develop a cutting-edge, forward-compatible ground system in collaboration with the SDA and key stakeholders. The companies will oversee the integration of the ground enterprise with the SDA's Tranche 2 satellite constellation, covering services from engineering and design to testing, maintenance, infrastructure management, and site support.

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