Mitsubishi Electric has selected Canadian company MDA Space to supply key subsystems for Japan’s next-generation military communications satellite.
Under the contract, MDA Space will develop the satellite’s digital communications payload, antenna systems, and additional subsystems.
The program is intended to provide the Japanese military with a more resilient satellite communications capability featuring enhanced resistance to electronic interference.
Work will be shared between the company’s facilities in the UK and Canada.
MDA Space’s UK operations will develop the digital beamforming payload, designed to generate multiple steerable communication beams that can be reconfigured in orbit to adapt coverage and improve resilience against jamming.
Meanwhile, the company’s Montreal facility will manufacture and test the satellite’s antennae and an analog repeater before shipping the hardware to Japan.
Final assembly, integration, and testing of the spacecraft will be carried out by Mitsubishi Electric.
The program will replace the existing DSN-2 (Kirameki-2) military communications satellite, which provides secure geostationary satellite communications for the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
Expanding Japan’s Defense Satellite Program
The latest contract follows recent efforts to modernize Japan’s military satellite communications capabilities.
In March, Lockheed Martin and Mitsubishi Electric signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop technologies for Tokyo’s future geostationary defense communications satellite.
Under the deal, Lockheed Martin will build an anti-jamming communications payload at its Colorado facilities, while Mitsubishi Electric will carry out the satellite’s final assembly, integration, and testing in Japan.
The two companies also agreed to explore additional opportunities for geostationary military communications satellite programs in Japan and across the Asia-Pacific region, including potential future partnership models.
