New Cartridge Adds Computing and Radio Sensing to Terminal
Oct 20, 2026
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Kymeta a development contract to expand the capabilities of its Osprey u8 satellite terminal. Announced on October 6, the project will see the company develop a hardware cartridge combining onboard computing, software-defined radio (SDR) and networking functions. The idea is to bring more processing power directly to the point of use, reducing the need for separate equipment or remote infrastructure to handle certain tasks.
Credit: Kymeta
The Osprey u8 uses a flat-panel antenna built around Kymeta’s metamaterial technology and holographic beamforming. It tracks satellites electronically, without mechanical gimbals or other moving parts, and is designed to maintain connectivity while vehicles are on the move. The new cartridge will add computing and radio-frequency (RF) sensing capabilities while preserving the terminal’s multi-orbit communications functionality. The planned RF sensing features are intended to give operators better visibility into the space communications environment, helping them identify interference and analyze signals closer to where operations take place.
Kymeta CEO Manny Mora said the award reflects customers’ confidence in the company’s ability to adapt its technology to changing mission requirements. The upgraded cartridge is intended to take the terminal beyond connectivity, allowing users to process large volumes of RF data and identify signals, interference patterns and potentially suspicious activity. Mora also pointed to the platform’s modular design, which could let customers add software applications and new capabilities as their needs evolve. The goal is to turn the Osprey u8 into a multi-mission platform without requiring additional mission hardware to be mounted on the vehicle.
Kymeta’s latest award follows an earlier order from the U.S. military. In September 2026, the company announced a $20 million Department of Defense order for more than 100 Osprey u8 terminals and multi orbit connectivity services. The equipment was intended for mobile command posts and tactical vehicles, which need reliable links while moving between locations. The new contract is a separate development effort, but it builds on the same platform. A replaceable cartridge could let customers add computing or radio functions without replacing the complete terminal. Software could also be updated as mission requirements change, keeping the existing hardware in service. For defense, government and national security customers, that offers a possible way to expand deployed equipment’s capabilities without replacing entire systems for each new task.
The project is also relevant to the wider effort to build resilient Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) networks. These networks depend on units sharing information across different operating environments, including when communications are disrupted. Processing data on the terminal could reduce reliance on remote servers and let operators examine RF signals closer to where they are detected. The technical description says the cartridge will undergo prototype engineering and qualification testing before operational trials with field units. The trials are expected to assess multi-orbit connectivity and onboard processing under contested electromagnetic conditions, where interference or electronic warfare can complicate communications. Results should show how reliably the new functions work outside controlled testing and whether they provide useful capabilities to deployed forces.
