Lockheed Martin Unveils Plans for Next-Gen Space Dominance Demos

The aerospace giant is self-funding two new satellite platforms to showcase advanced orbital warfare capabilities for the Space Force.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:37am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a complex, futuristic military satellite platform in orbit, with intricate cybernetic hardware and propulsion systems illuminated by neon cyan and magenta lights, conceptually representing the next generation of space warfare technology.Lockheed Martin's self-funded demonstrations of advanced satellite platforms aim to equip the U.S. Space Force with cutting-edge orbital warfare capabilities.Colorado Springs Today

Lockheed Martin is developing two new satellite platforms, called Vanguard and Sentinel, to demonstrate next-generation space dominance capabilities for the U.S. Space Force. The company plans to launch the smaller Vanguard satellite in late 2028 and the larger Sentinel platform in early 2029 to showcase rendezvous and proximity operations, as well as advanced command and control functions. These efforts aim to meet the Space Force's growing demand for orbital warfare technologies.

Why it matters

As space becomes an increasingly contested domain, the U.S. military is prioritizing the development of advanced space warfare capabilities. Lockheed Martin's self-funded demonstrations of the Vanguard and Sentinel platforms are intended to showcase new technologies that can provide the Space Force with enhanced space situational awareness, protection, and defensive maneuvers against potential adversaries.

The details

Lockheed Martin's upcoming demonstrations will feature a smaller Vanguard satellite and a medium-class Sentinel platform, both of which will leverage technology from the company's Terran Orbital subsidiary. The Vanguard will be a 'compact, high-throughput' system ideal for constellations, while the larger Sentinel will have more power, propulsion, and optional on-orbit refueling for enduring missions. The two platforms will share around 70% of their subsystems, including guidance, navigation, control, and star trackers. Sentinel is Lockheed's baseline spacecraft for the Space Force's Geosynchronous Reconnaissance & Surveillance Constellation (RG-XX) program, which has 'some large Delta V requirements' for complex orbital maneuvers.

  • Lockheed Martin is targeting late 2028 for the Vanguard demonstration and early 2029 for the Sentinel demonstration.
  • The company was recently awarded a $1.8 billion contract for the Space Force's RG-XX space domain awareness program.

The players

Lockheed Martin

A major American aerospace and defense contractor that is self-funding the development of two new satellite platforms, Vanguard and Sentinel, to showcase advanced space warfare capabilities for the U.S. Space Force.

Tim Lynch

Vice President for Mission Strategy at Lockheed Martin's Space segment, who provided details on the company's upcoming space dominance demonstrations.

Terran Orbital

A subsidiary of Lockheed Martin that is providing spacecraft products for the Vanguard and Sentinel platforms.

U.S. Space Force

The military service branch that is the primary customer for Lockheed Martin's space dominance demonstrations, as the Space Force seeks to rapidly develop new orbital warfare capabilities.

Geosynchronous Reconnaissance & Surveillance Constellation (RG-XX)

A Space Force program for which Lockheed Martin's Sentinel platform is the baseline spacecraft, with requirements for advanced maneuverability.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Space Force wants to be able to move faster and wants 'kit in orbit now'”

— Tim Lynch, Vice President for Mission Strategy at Lockheed Martin's Space segment

“The main goal of the space dominance effort 'is to build common subsystems so that they're plug-and-play, so that we have frameworks that are [able] to adapt to our customers' needs.”

— Tim Lynch, Vice President for Mission Strategy at Lockheed Martin's Space segment

What’s next

Lockheed Martin plans to launch the Vanguard satellite in late 2028, followed by the Sentinel demonstration in early 2029, subject to customer needs, launch availability, and the company's broader platform validation schedules.

The takeaway

Lockheed Martin's self-funded development of the Vanguard and Sentinel satellite platforms underscores the U.S. military's growing emphasis on advancing space warfare capabilities, as the company aims to provide the Space Force with enhanced orbital maneuverability, situational awareness, and defensive technologies.