Space Force Launches $8 Billion Satcom Upgrade Initiative
The United States Space Force has embarked on a comprehensive mission to significantly enhance its satellite communication systems with the acquisition of the Evolved Strategic Satcom (ESS) project. With a budget approaching $8 billion, this initiative is poised to fundamentally transform the nation’s nuclear command, control, and communications by supplanting the aging Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite constellation. Designed to withstand interference and provide secure and resilient communications, the ESS satellites are tailored to support the exigencies of the National Command Authorities and military personnel around the globe. This project also aims to address the Arctic region’s coverage vacuum that the current AEHF system exhibits.Preparing for a Modern Era
In anticipation of the new challenges and technological advances of modern military communications, the Space Systems Command has disseminated a pre-solicitation notice outlining the intent to request proposals for the construction of the ESS network. This network, distinctly separate from the acquisitions of ground systems and user equipment, is slated for production commencement in 2025. The strategic blueprint sets an ambitious objective for the deployment of the ESS by the year 2030, with plans for at least four interconnected satellites positioned in geosynchronous and highly elliptical orbits. This initiative underscores the importance of maintaining a steadfast and seamless communication network to safeguard national security.Competition and Collaboration
The U.S. Space Force is investing nearly $8 billion in the Evolved Strategic Satcom (ESS) program to upgrade its satellite communication capabilities, stepping up from the outdated Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) constellation. The new ESS system will enhance nuclear command, control, and communications with features designed to resist disruption and ensure reliable, secure links for National Command Authorities and troops worldwide. Addressing particularly the Arctic’s current coverage gaps left by AEHF, the ESS satellites will provide critical support to strategic military operations in this challenging environment, reflecting a significant leap in the U.S.’s commitment to maintaining a robust and technologically advanced defense communication infrastructure. Through the ESS, the Space Force aims to bolster the country’s defense readiness in an era of heightened global communication demands and emerging threats.
