A long time ago in a galaxy not so far away — specifically, Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs — the U.S. Space Force took another step towards turning science fiction into tactical reality. Their newest cutting edge piece of equipment, the Counter Communications System Meadowlands, isn’t a droid or a lightsaber, but it might be the next best thing: a sleek, ground-based system that can jam enemy satellites from a remote location with remarkable precision and control. It’s not quite the Force, but it does allow for a single, lone operator to command 300% more satellite disruption missions without ever leaving Earth.
On the modern battlefield, where lines of communication are as critical as lines of fire, CCS Meadowlands represents a strategic leap forward in electronic warfare. The U.S. has often been criticized for falling behind the curve when it comes to EW capabilities, especially when it comes to space-based communications. But this new, lightweight, highly automated EW upgrade brings serious muscle to America’s satellite-jamming capabilities, making it faster and easier to silence adversaries in orbit — at least temporarily. In a world where code can neutralize a threat before the first missile is even launched, Space Force is betting big on systems like this to keep the upper hand in space without ever leaving the ground.
The complete Meadowlands system calls for the deployment of 16 truck-sized satellite dishes along with their supporting electronics to strategic positions around the United States and the world. They ride on six-wheeled trailers that can easily be towed around to wherever needed. The system was built for Space Force by L3Harris and follows up on a much larger and less portable system that became operational in 2020. The latest iteration of the system, dubbed version 10.2, is currently the only ground-based, space signal jamming and control platform in the country’s arsenal.
Col. Bryon McClain, USSF Program Executive Officer for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power Space Systems Command recently spoke about the upgraded capabilities that CCS Meadowlands now offers at the annual Space Foundation Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. He stressed how two commands came together — Space Operations Command and Space Systems Command — to make Meadowlands possible, and how the new system will add to both the defensive and offensive capabilities of the United States during any future engagements with satellite-equipped enemies.
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