L3Harris has successfully delivered the Meadowlands Counter Communications System (CCS) to the U.S. Space Force’s Electromagnetic Warfare unit. This cutting-edge technology is designed to jam or disrupt adversarial satellite communications and is ground-based, transportable, and mounted on wheeled trailers for improved mobility.
The Meadowlands system represents a more compact and advanced iteration compared to previous CCS models, as underscored by L3Harris. Its design incorporates radio frequency equipment and a modular, open architecture, which allows for easy integration of upgrades and new technologies. This innovation aims not only to enhance jamming effectiveness but also to increase portability and automation, thereby minimizing the likelihood of detection or targeting by adversaries.
Officials from the U.S. Space Force have confirmed that the Meadowlands system has entered the formal government testing phase, which includes both developmental and operational tests. Ed Zoiss, President of Space and Airborne Systems at L3Harris Technologies, highlighted the strategic importance of this capability, stating that it will provide the U.S. and its allies with a significant advantage in increasingly contested space environments.
In line with this, the U.S. is actively enhancing its capacity to disrupt hostile satellite communications to ensure greater flexibility and responsiveness in these challenging scenarios. Currently, the existing CCS infrastructure consists of 16 mobile units that are strategically positioned and managed by U.S. Space Force and Air National Guard personnel. These units can temporarily block satellite communications when necessary, with the capability for disruptions to be reversed, allowing satellites to resume operations once interference is no longer required.
In April, the Meadowlands system completed its System Verification Review, marking an important milestone in the ongoing modernization process. This project is part of a broader $125 million contract awarded to L3Harris in 2021, aimed at improving the performance and mobility of CCS technologies.
