The Department of War announced today an August, 27, 2026, investment of $11.4 million in Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funds to Stellant Systems (Stellant). This will increase the manufacturability and capability of space-based Traveling-Wave Tube Amplifier (TWTA) production in Torrance, California. It also supports the Administration's goal to increase key space industrial base capabilities as articulated in the December 18, 2025, Executive Order 14369 - Ensuring American Space Superiority.
"This manufacturing capability is essential to support existing and future DoW and commercial needs for TWTAs," said the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, the Honorable Michael Cadenazzi. "This will greatly reduce schedule, cost, and performance risks to U.S. government satellite programs."
These DPA Title III funds will enable Stellant's pilot production and qualification of a space-based TWTA covering the 71-76 gigahertz (GHz) downlink band, as well as improve the manufacturability of a modernized Dual Digital Electronic Power Conditioner. TWTAs are vital components in most satellite-based communication systems for commercial, military, and national security satellites. At many frequency and power combinations, TWTAs are the only available means for reliable, satellite-based radio frequency amplification.
