Boeing wins $2.8B contract for strategic SATCOM satellites

Boeing has secured a $2.8 billion contract from the U.S. Space Force for the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program, a key component of the nation's nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) architecture.

• This contract includes the delivery of two satellites, with options for two additional satellites to provide space-based communications for strategic forces worldwide.

  
  

• Boeing is set to deliver the first of two space vehicles by 2031.

Why this matters: The ESS program is designed to provide protected connectivity, crucial for maintaining strategic communication capabilities even in the face of adversary attempts to disrupt it.

• “It’s a critical time to advance U.S. space capabilities to ensure peace through strength,” said Cordell DeLaPena, the U.S. Space Force Program Executive Officer for the Military Communications and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing.

The ESS spacecraft will offer enhanced capacity, flexibility, reliability and resilience compared to the current strategic communications satellites on orbit.

• “The U.S. needs a strategic national security architecture that works without fail, with the highest level of protection and capability,” said Kay Sears, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space, Intelligence and Weapon Systems. “We designed an innovative system to provide guaranteed communication to address an evolving threat environment in space.”

  
  

• Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems, highlighted the significance of the award. “This win validates all the investments and innovations we’ve made in our satellite technology, creating a technically mature and low-risk offering for the government.”

Go deeper: Boeing’s solution leverages technology developed for the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS)-11 and WGS-12 satellites, with proven commercial versions already in orbit. The military-grade communications satellites feature flexible and resilient signals that are resistant to interruption or interception.

• The deployment of these satellites in geostationary orbit will provide persistent global coverage, utilizing highly protected waveforms and classified technologies developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense.