Space Development Agency taps SAIC to build battle management app factory

The Space Development Agency has awarded Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) a $64 million contract to develop and maintain the agency’s application factory that will automate battle management networks, SDA announced Thursday.

The Battle Management Command, Control and Communications (BMC3) Application Factory is a cloud-based environment that will allow users to test and quickly deploy software through a DevSecOps process to the Space Development Agency’s constellation in low-Earth orbit known as Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The future constellation will feature hundreds of satellites carrying critical warfighting capabilities, such as data transfer and missile warning and tracking sensors.

“Basically, it’s the software that will be used by performers on the ground to build the apps and test out the apps in a secure environment to … basically do uploads onto the satellites so that we can upgrade the BMC3 processors on orbit,” SDA Director Derek Tournear explained during an event hosted by the National Security Space Association in November.

Tournear told DefenseScoop on the sidelines of the Space Symposium in March that the application factory will be fielded with the agency’s Tranche 1 of satellites, which is expected to begin launching in September 2024.

Under the contract, SAIC will establish the BMC3 software development and hosting environment and will guide other vendors in testing and deploying software to the PWSA.

“To support time-sensitive missions, BMC3 software applications will deliver automated space-based battle management through command and control, mission processing and dissemination of data,” a company press release said. “The BMC3 Application Factory’s ability to rapidly test and integrate upgraded software capabilities of on-orbit assets will help the Space Force adapt to evolving threats and needs.”

The company will be responsible for implementing a “BMC3 Application Factory and middleware layer to allow the PWSA BMC3 ecosystem to execute mission applications in support of warfighter needs,” a press release from SDA said. The secure interoperable-middleware layer will ensure the applications are vendor-agnostic across the BMC3 hardware.

“The BMC3 component of the PWSA is transformational for the Department of Defense and the country,” Michael LaRouche, president of national security and space sector at SAIC, said in a statement. “The Space Development Agency is entrusting SAIC to deliver an innovative approach that weaves together command and control, secure cloud and space systems integration for critical warfighter needs.”