Key Takeaways
- Boeing is developing Evolved Strategic Satellites (ESS) to enhance U.S. nuclear command and communications by 2031.
- The satellites will feature advanced technology for secure and reliable communications in a challenging threat environment.
- The contract includes two satellites, with options for two additional units in the future, emphasizing increased capacity and protection.
Advanced Satellite Technology for National Security
The U.S. is set to enhance its nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) capabilities with Boeing’s Evolved Strategic Satellites (ESS). These satellites will operate in geostationary orbit, 35,700 km above Earth, providing consistent support to U.S. military operations worldwide. According to Cordell DeLaPena, the U.S. Space Force’s Program Executive Officer, the new satellites will offer increased capacity, flexibility, and reliability compared to current systems, ensuring continuous connectivity even amid attempts from adversaries to disrupt communications.
Boeing is expected to deliver the first satellite by 2031. The ESS technology builds on existing advancements used in the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) military satellites, leveraging lessons learned from SES’s commercial O3b mPOWER constellation. These new military satellites will include advanced security features aimed at protecting signals against interception.
Kay Sears, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space, Intelligence and Weapon Systems, emphasized the necessity for a robust national security architecture that prioritizes reliability. The design introduces an innovative communication system tailored to counter evolving threats in space.
While the initial contract is for two satellites, there are options for acquiring two additional units in the future. Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems, remarked that this contract validates Boeing’s ongoing innovations in satellite technology. The company has increased its production capacity and assembled skilled teams to ensure an effective rollout from the start.
Overall, the development of the Evolved Strategic Satellites represents a significant step forward for U.S. military communication infrastructure, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to maintaining a strong defense posture.
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