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The Space Development Agency (SDA) has received approval from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to begin testing Link-16 signals from its Transport Layer of data relay satellites in low Earth orbit. This approval allows SDA to test over international waters and over the territory of a Five Eyes ally, although the specific ally involved has not been disclosed.

The ITU manages electromagnetic spectrum usage to prevent interference, while individual nations are responsible for allocating frequencies for domestic use and ensuring against interference within their own borders. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission is the chief regulatory body, but coordination of spectrum use among federal agencies is managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

SDA has already launched 19 Tranche 0 Transport Layer satellites, which are the first test birds for its planned mesh network constellation. The Transport Layer is considered the backbone of the Defense Department’s planned Joint All Domain Command and Control network-of-networks. The agency aims to put approximately 400 Transport Layer satellites into orbit by the end of 2028, launching new variants or Tranches every two years.

However, SDA still needs to resolve a dispute with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in order to allow testing over US airspace. The FAA has raised concerns that Link-16 signals from space could interfere with civil aircraft radios. The Pentagon has been criticized for being slow to certify the SDA satellite links, and the FAA moved to limit DoD’s access to Link-16 frequency bands in January.

SDA is actively pursuing a temporary frequency assignment from the FAA to begin testing with military partners. The agency is also working on proving that its Link-16 terminals meet non-interference standards through Electromagnetic Compatibility Features validation within DoD. SDA has provided significant data to the FAA to demonstrate the safety of Link-16 during its military use.

Government and industry sources indicate that senior Defense and Transportation officials are now involved in speeding up a deal between SDA and FAA. The hope is that once testing is complete and mitigations are in place, SDA will receive relief and be able to conduct Link-16 testing over US airspace.

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