U.S. Army testing confirms ALL.SPACE Hydra MAX performance in NGTT multi-orbit programme

By Martin Chomsky (Defence Industry Europe)

ALL.SPACE has announced the successful completion of testing for the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Tactical Terminal programme, marking a major step forward in multi-orbit defence communications. The company confirmed that its Hydra MAX terminal has been validated as a first-of-its-kind system capable of delivering simultaneous Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit connectivity while on the move.
Image: ALL.SPACE.

ALL.SPACE has announced the successful completion of testing for the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Tactical Terminal programme, marking a major step forward in multi-orbit defence communications. The company confirmed that its Hydra MAX terminal has been validated as a first-of-its-kind system capable of delivering simultaneous Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit connectivity while on the move.

 

The NGTT programme was created to resolve long-standing challenges in maintaining high-throughput, beyond-line-of-sight communications during manoeuvre operations. ALL.SPACE was selected to deliver a production-ready terminal at Technology Readiness Level 6, designed to link the tactical edge with the cloud and support mission-critical applications in contested conditions.

 

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As part of the initiative, ALL.SPACE worked with Telesat Government Solutions and Viasat to demonstrate simultaneous multi-beam on-the-move operation across LEO, GEO and MEO at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Tests used off-road mobility profiles to show the terminal’s performance under realistic manoeuvre demands.

The demonstrations delivered sustained high data rates and high-resolution video while stationary and in motion. Even in challenging terrain, with rapid changes in azimuth and elevation, Hydra MAX held its LEO 3 beam lock, highlighting the terminal’s resilience and agility.

ALL.SPACE states that its Hydra terminals use digital beamforming with monopulse tracking to achieve up to four times the responsiveness of traditional methods. This approach supports precise and rapid connectivity across wide scan angles even during intense motion and vibration.

 

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The company noted that the successful trials build on its collaboration with Telesat Government Solutions to secure future type certification for Hydra MAX on the upcoming Telesat Lightspeed network. This is intended to strengthen the terminal’s suitability for US and allied defence operations.

Following the testing campaign, the U.S. Army has formally recognised Hydra MAX as achieving Technology Readiness Level 6, confirming that the system has been demonstrated in a relevant military environment. The designation reflects progress from prototype to near-production readiness and positions the terminal for integration into wider defence and Joint Force networks.

Paul McCarter, CEO of ALL.SPACE, said: “Successfully completing this testing as part of the NGTT program and reaching TRL 6 is a defining moment for ALL.SPACE, Hydra-2 MAX has proven it can deliver uninterrupted, intelligent connectivity in the harshest operational conditions. For commanders, this means cloud access, data fusion, and decision superiority remain intact – no matter the orbit, no matter the threat.”

 

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Hydra MAX has been designed to support the Department of Defense’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control objectives through a Modular Open Systems Approach. The company says this will allow rapid integration with future constellations, including Telesat Lightspeed once certified, and offer multi-beam transport diversity, SD-WAN resilience and compatibility with leading networks.

 

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