Defense contractor Lockheed Martin announced this week that its LM 400 multi-mission satellite bus will launch later this month as part of a technology demonstration.

The LM 400 satellite will launch on a Firefly Aerospace Alpha Rocket no earlier than March 15, the company said.

The satellite launch will showcase Lockheed Martin’s investment in pathfinding and risk-reduction, exemplified in the LM 400 multi-mission satellite bus.

The satellite will also provide training opportunities for the U.S. Space Force’s Safari Responsive Space Program, with service members gaining access to the satellite’s communications tools.

Lockheed Martin says the LM 400 can be customized to meet various mission needs, including remote sensing, communications, imaging and radar. The company said it hopes that the LM 400 will improve its network of satellites already in orbit.

“As the need for greater resiliency and proliferated architectures grow, we’ve made a critical investment in this LM 400 technology demonstration to design and illustrate timely and relevant capabilities on-orbit for our customers,” said Jeff Schrader, vice president of strategy and business development for Lockheed Martin Space. “We look forward to our ride with Firefly, and ultimately enhancing the technical and manufacturing readiness of the multi-orbit, multi-mission LM 400 platform.”

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.