о

L3Harris Successfully Completes Important Milestone for Army SATCOM Program

CS
Communication Systems
Oct 21, 2025 | 2 MINUTE Read

L3Harris Technologies has successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the U.S. Army’s Large Wideband Satellite Communications Terminal (LWST) program, setting the stage for first-article testing and certification of the new terminal for integration into the Wideband Global Satellite Communications (WGS) network next year.

Access to WGS provides high-capacity, cross-national, two-way SATCOM connectivity for tactical Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), battle management and combat support information.

LWST IDIQ

L3Harris received the LWST Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) award from the U.S. Army in July 2024, valued up to $120 million, with an initial $33 million order for development and certification of the first article unit. The 12.2-meter LWST is the next-generation follow-on terminal for the Modernization of Enterprise Terminals (MET) program, enhancing the capability to the new MIL-STD-164 revision C, which increases the network’s performance.

Serving as the terminal design activity and integrator, L3Harris integrates and produces radio-frequency chain components to comply with the new military standards. Additionally, L3Harris designs and manufactures the frequency converters required to convert signals between L-Band and Ka/X-Band RF to ensure reliable, compliant WGS network operation. L3Harris’ subcontractor, CPI, is responsible for manufacturing the antenna structure itself and providing all transmit/receive amplifier equipment.

L3Harris is leveraging its legacy program knowledge for the LWST mission, having previously conducted all of the engineering, manufacturing and sustainment for the MET assets, which will be fully interoperable with the new terminals. 

“
We have very mature RF models at the system level that cascade down. The updated RF chain to meet the new specifications is the ‘secret sauce’ for LWST.
”
Cherie Miller
Program Director, L3Harris

Beyond the higher performance, the new management-and-control functionality L3Harris is delivering sets the program up for the virtualization path the Army envisions for its network, according to Meredith Eiband, Technical Director, L3Harris. The company is providing Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) optimization to the terminal’s “block house,” which not only shrinks the operation center’s footprint for space-constrained locations but also adds functionality and flexibility in how operators can establish the network and connect the terminals worldwide.

Strategic SATCOM terminal

“From an engineering perspective, we’ve done a lot of RF systems-level modeling, leveraging lessons learned from MET, and investing in the technology so that LWST will be the first terminal of this size to be certified for the new revision of MIL-STD-164,” said Eiband. “The company is continuing to invest in the technology to SWaP-optimize the RF chain further for smaller form factors, which provides options for areas that do not require as much bandwidth, and drives greater affordability for international customers.”

As LWST is based on the foundation of MET, there are opportunities for the capability to be transferred to other MET variants with some additional modifications if the need arises, according to Miller. For example, to create a LWST High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) variant, only hardening modifications to the antenna structure would be required. Similarly, modifications can be made to existing MET sites to provide an LWST-like capability within the existing inventory.

The LWST IDIQ’s period of performance extends into 2032 with up to six terminals expected to be part of the contract. The terminals will extend the current MET network, which currently comprises 100 terminals with four variants worldwide. The recently awarded MET Depot, Engineering and Support Services (DESS) IDIQ, valued at $457 million, will be leveraged to update MET terminals and sustain the worldwide SATCOM network.

Once certified for WGS, international allies that are members of the WGS consortium will be able to order LWSTs directly or through applicable international partnership agreements. 

Related Capabilities

Strategic SATCOM

Strategic SATCOM

Learn how L3Harris strategic ground SATCOM terminals ensure 21st century fighting forces remain connected to the global information network.
Large Fixed SATCOM Terminal

Large Fixed SATCOM Terminal

Learn more about the next-generation of military satellite communications for the U.S. Army's Modernization of Enterprise Terminals (MET) program