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On September 19, AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) announced a new firm‑fixed‑price (FFP) contract option with the U.S. Space Force Space Rapid Capabilities Office for the delivery of two BADGER phased array antenna systems to support the Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (SCAR) program.
This award represents the first FFP option being executed against the SCAR Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to enhance the system performance and operational readiness to aid in swift deployment and operational resilience. Future production options remain open for additional SCAR systems.
To meet the increasing demand signal and reinforce production pipelines for BADGER, AV has expanded manufacturing agreements with several key suppliers. This new framework strengthens the BADGER supply chain and ensures current and future orders for the SCAR program are backed by a robust, scalable production infrastructure—accelerating delivery timelines to meet operational demands. These steps will help drive cost and schedule uncertainty out of the program while delivering operational capability to the Space Force.
“We are delivering unmatched technological superiority to usher in a new era of advanced satellite command and control,” said Wahid Nawabi, AV chairman, president and chief executive officer. “With confidence in the technology and a steadfast commitment to delivering this critical national security priority, our team is scaling BADGER production to match the operational tempo demanded by the Space Force.”
Most key development milestones for the SCAR program have already been completed. AV will deliver the first BADGER unit to the Space Force in the coming months, with more units nearing completion for delivery in early 2026 to support full-scale overseas deployment. The first system’s Mission Support Container, including electronics and software that control the BADGER units, was delivered this summer–ahead of schedule–and is ready for final integration testing.
“The urgent demand for SCAR is backed by a universal recognition of the expansive satellite tracking, telemetry, and control capabilities it will soon deliver to the Space Force,” said Mary Clum, executive vice president for AV’s Space and Directed Energy Group. “We understand. With the technology ready to scale, we have accelerated production and strengthened our supply chain to meet the demand. BADGER is ready. SCAR is coming.”
“The SCAR program is a system of systems that is both a revolutionary leap for satellite command and control and an urgent need to keep pace with the rapidly evolving, contested, congested space domain,” said Dr. Kelly Hammett, director of the U.S. Space Force Space Rapid Capabilities Office. “We applaud the technical achievements of the AV team that have enabled this transformative moment for satellite communications along with their investments in automation, supply chain, and manufacturing that will serve to stabilize costs and increase scale long-term. When industry and government work together to tackle the toughest challenges, we can accomplish big things–and SCAR is certainly a testament to that strength.”
Source: AeroVironment
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