A groundbreaking demonstration has showcased the world’s first tactical Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity operating directly on standard mobile devices, a significant stride for resilient communications in demanding environments. This achievement was announced by AST SpaceMobile, Inc., a company focused on building a space-based cellular broadband network, in collaboration with Fairwinds Technologies, a firm specializing in communications solutions for defense and government agencies.
According to the joint announcement, the successful field test involved key defense-related scenarios, including real-time connectivity for the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) over a Virtual Private Network (VPN), multimedia streaming through TAK, and secure multi-party video calls. Crucially, these capabilities were demonstrated using unmodified, commercially available smartphones.
The demonstration took place near AST SpaceMobile’s gateway facility in Oahu, Hawaii, with active participation from various branches of the U.S. defense community, including representatives from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army, U.S. Space Command, and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E) FutureG team.
This initiative follows a recent award from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to the Fairwinds/AST SpaceMobile team as part of the Hybrid Space Architecture 2 program within DIU’s Space Portfolio. The project, also supported by DIU’s Cyber & Telecom Portfolio, aims to assess the feasibility of space-based direct-to-device communications for establishing robust and secure tactical networks, particularly in areas lacking traditional infrastructure or facing hostile conditions.
Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial and Government Business Officer at AST SpaceMobile, stated that this demonstration marks a substantial advancement in enhancing secure and resilient communication capabilities for the U.S. defense sector. He further mentioned the company’s commitment to enabling a new layer of mobile connectivity—directly from space to standard smartphones, without requiring specialized equipment, to support national security objectives.
Timothy Hillner, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Fairwinds Technologies, emphasized that this is merely the beginning. He expressed honor in collaborating with AST SpaceMobile and the Defense Innovation Unit to deliver next-generation communications where and when they are most critically needed, at the tactical edge, ultimately enabling the future of command and control.
This initial demonstration is reportedly the first in a series of planned prototype evaluations for space-based mobile broadband in defense applications. Future testing, including deployments in open ocean environments, is anticipated in the coming months as the teams continue to explore the possibilities of multi-domain, space-based tactical communications.
For context, AST SpaceMobile is engaged in developing a global cellular broadband network in space that can connect directly with standard mobile devices. Fairwinds Technologies, as a U.S. Government prime contractor, provides communications, networking, and IT solutions for defense and civilian agencies worldwide. Tactical NTN connectivity refers to using non-terrestrial networks, such as satellite constellations, to provide communication capabilities in dynamic and often challenging operational environments, extending reach and offering resilience where traditional terrestrial networks may be unavailable or compromised.
