Boeing Installs Starshield Tech at Port San Antonio
The Air Force is equipping its C-17 cargo fleet with satellite communications to improve mission data sharing.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Boeing is integrating Starshield satellite technology onto Air Force C-17 Globemaster jets at its facility in Port San Antonio. The $13.5 million contract aims to boost connectivity for the military's cargo fleet.
Why it matters
The Starshield network provides critical satellite links that enable consistent jet connectivity and secure mission data sharing for the Air Force. This integration is part of a larger effort to modernize communications across the entire military transport fleet.
The Air Force is installing Starshield and ATOMS connectivity kits, with 9 of 19 initial C-17 jets completed to date. The program currently operates within a broader $6 billion Pentagon commitment to the Starshield network infrastructure.
The players
Boeing
An aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor responsible for maintaining the C-17 cargo fleet and installing satellite systems.
Sierra Nevada Corp.
An aerospace and defense company that supplies the Starshield and ATOMS equipment kits for the Air Force aircraft.
SpaceX
The private aerospace company that develops the Starshield satellite communications network used by the United States government.
The details
Boeing manages the integration at its San Antonio site using kits supplied by Sierra Nevada Corp. The initiative supports the Airlift/Tanker Open Mission Systems, or ATOMS, to enhance the capabilities of the C-17 fleet.
Timeline
Work has been completed on nine C-17 jets as of October 2026.
The Air Force intends to equip 19 C-17 jets with Starshield by March 2027.
The Tech Race
This integration marks a critical step in the implementation of the Airlift/Tanker Open Mission Systems, or ATOMS, which serves as the backbone for modernizing military transport communication. It signals a move away from legacy closed systems toward a versatile, satellite-linked network.
While this program focuses on military assets, it highlights the growing integration of commercial satellite constellations into government operations. This shift ensures more reliable data pathways for essential fleet logistics and long-range mission support.
The takeaway
The deployment of Starshield on military cargo jets underscores the rapid transition to private-sector satellite infrastructure for defense connectivity. Implementing these technologies allows for more agile and secure information sharing across global operations.
What happens next
The Air Force is scheduled to conclude the installation of Starshield systems on the current batch of 19 C-17 jets by March 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the Telecommunications sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Antonio Express-News.
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