LOS ANGELES— The U.S. Space Force has awarded Boeing a $2.8 billion contract for secure satellite communications under its Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) program.
The program aims to enhance national defense communications with two initial satellites, with future options including expansion and Arctic capabilities, supporting operations from key facilities such as Vandenberg Space Force Base (VBG).
By Horizon206 – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=134697393Boeing Secures ESS Contract
Boeing outpaced Northrop Grumman to secure the contract, marking a critical milestone in the development of the U.S. military’s next-generation satellite communication systems. This $2.8 billion deal funds two satellites, with the U.S. Space Force retaining the option to procure two more under the broader $12 billion ESS initiative, Defense News reported.
The ESS system is designed to replace the aging Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite constellation. It will provide enhanced survivability, resilience, and cybersecurity to address growing threats in space.
Boeing’s proposal stood out for its innovative architecture and capacity to deliver guaranteed communication in high-threat environments.
According to Kay Sears, VP and GM of Boeing’s Space, Intelligence, and Weapons Systems division, the system is engineered to meet evolving national security needs with unmatched reliability.
Photo: By Clemens Vasters from Viersen, Germany, Germany – Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50405787Long-Term Strategic Goals
The contract runs through 2033 and represents a major portion of the Space Force’s long-term SATCOM evolution strategy.
Beyond the first satellites, ESS may include Arctic-specific capabilities to support operations in high-latitude regions, a growing area of interest for defense planners.
The Space Force has also emphasized its intent to pivot toward a “family of systems” strategy. This approach will ensure incremental capability upgrades delivered on faster timelines, especially for anti-jamming and protected tactical communication functions.
NASA HQ PHOTO|
Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Cancellation of PTS-R and Shift in Strategy
In a related move, the Protected Tactical SATCOM–Resilient (PTS-R) program has been officially canceled. The Space Force said this shift reflects a new strategy focusing on incremental capability delivery via existing frameworks like the Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW).
While PTS-R has been discontinued, several core components of the SATCOM architecture remain in development. These include:
- Protected Tactical SATCOM–Global
- Protected Tactical Enterprise Service
- Enterprise Management and Control
- Air Force-Army Anti-Jam Modem
Initial prototypes of the Protected Tactical SATCOM program are expected to launch in 2026, reinforcing the broader shift to modular, adaptive systems with lower risk and reduced procurement costs.
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