MILNET Block II (military satellites)

History

2025: Pentagon allocates $4 billion for secret satellite constellation

The US Department of Defense has allocated $4 billion to create a classified satellite constellation MILNET Block II to provide military communications. The budget plan for 2026 provides for $3.53 billion for the development of the system itself and $687 million for the launch of spacecraft. The details of the project remain unknown to most congressmen who were unable to obtain information from the US Space Force. This became known in July 2025.

According to SpaceNews, the appearance of such a large expenditure item in the budget was a surprise to many members of Congress. Industry experts point out that the MILNET project should replace the Transport Layer group under construction under the auspices of the Space Development Agency. Existing resources from the Transport Layer program are planned to be redirected to the new system.

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Фото: Freepik

The MILNET grouping is designed to provide high-speed global communications to the US military from anywhere on the planet. The system will consist of several hundred satellites that guarantee operational and secure communications for military units. The network architecture is developed taking into account integration into existing and future communication systems.

Among congressmen and experts, concerns arise about the possible monopolization of the project. The network is likely to be based on SpaceX's Starshield satellites. Elon Musk's firm previously created similar communications satellites based on Starlink technologies by order of the military.

The previous Transport Layer program was implemented by several contractors on a competitive basis, which excluded dependence on the proprietary technology of one company. The transition to MILNET can change this model of cooperation and create risks of monopolization of the military satellite systems market.^[1]

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