Hughes Awarded Advanced Research Contract from Air Force Research Laboratory for Resilient Hybrid Networks with Intelligent Automation
Hughes to support the Space Technology Advanced Research – Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware (STAR-FISH) procurement for space data networking experimentation.
Germantown, MD, March 9, 2026 – Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), an EchoStar (Nasdaq: SATS) company, today announced it has received an award from the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Rapid Architecture Prototyping and Integration Development (RAPID) program for intelligent space data networks that integrates Department of War (DoW), allied, and commercial satellite communication networks. The goal of this contract is to enhance network resilience and ensure reliable connectivity by efficiently routing data across both space and terrestrial infrastructures.
Under this contract, Hughes will focus on developing hybrid, layered satellite networks capable of delivering reliable and efficient communications. This work will provide the insights necessary to address the constantly changing demands of modern connectivity—hybrid, intelligent, and resilient. Hughes will address critical challenges that threaten the development of future space data networks (SDNs). These efforts will provide valuable options for current and future Hybrid Space programs as they evolve to meet emerging needs.
“The network orchestration solutions offered by Hughes respond to today’s rapidly evolving communications requirements, no matter the environmental and mission conditions, so military users can have reliable, real-time information access across multiple domains, equipment types and transports,” said Patrick Markus, vice president and general manager of the Defense and Government Systems Division at Hughes. “This architecture leverages software-defined network orchestration tools that rapidly deploy advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize data routing and bandwidth allocation dynamically and autonomously throughout multiple network domains, including the tactical edge. The goal is delivering mission-critical capabilities for Department of Defense users in an agile and predictive manner—anticipating and mitigating network disruptions before they impact communications.”
This work will build upon the company’s long-standing efforts to support critical network management initiatives, including the DoW CIO Office’s Enterprise SATCOM Management and Control. This intelligent enterprise management expertise will help transform DoW and commercial networks into a single, interoperable information enterprise by leveraging existing and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G and addressing Zero Trust security. This includes integrating AI and machine learning (ML) to enable the service to analyze network conditions in real time, optimizing performance while maximizing resource efficiency.
For more information on Hughes Resilient Networking, visit… https://www.hughes.com/what-we-offer/specialized-defense-networks/resilient-networking.