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Boeing has been awarded a US$2.8 billion (approximately AU$4.2 billion) contract to enhance the United States’ space-based nuclear command and control infrastructure through the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications program.
The contract, issued by the US Space Force, initially covers the development and delivery of two highly secure communication satellites, with the option to procure two additional units in the future. The Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program forms a core component of America’s nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) architecture.
“It’s a critical time to advance US space capabilities to ensure peace through strength,” said Cordell DeLaPena, the US Space Force Program executive officer for military communications and positioning, navigation and timing. “The strategic communication mission demands protection, power and always-on connectivity, even in the face of adversary interference. These satellites will be vital to delivering secure communications as part of a revitalised NC3 architecture.”
Boeing’s ESS satellites promise greater capacity, flexibility reliability and resilience compared to the current generation of strategic communications spacecraft. Since 2020, the aerospace giant has been engaged in early development of the system under a rapid prototyping contract with the Space Force.
Kay Sears, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space, Intelligence and Weapon Systems, said the company had engineered an innovative solution to meet evolving national security needs. “The US needs a strategic communications system that cannot fail – one that provides the highest levels of protection and performance,” Sears said. “We’ve designed this architecture to ensure guaranteed connectivity in a contested space environment.”
The ESS system will leverage technologies already field-tested on Boeing’s Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS)-11 and WGS-12 satellites, as well as the commercially operated O3b mPOWER constellation. These advances will underpin a secure military communications network designed to resist signal jamming, interception and other threats.
“This contract validates our long-standing investment in satellite technology,” said Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems. “We’ve scaled our production capacity, expanded our workforce with cleared professionals, and built active manufacturing lines to ensure we’re ready to deliver from day one. We are committed to delivering this essential capability.”
Once deployed in geostationary orbit – roughly 35,700 kilometres above the Earth, the ESS satellites will provide continuous global coverage to support US strategic forces. They will carry secure waveforms and classified technologies developed in collaboration with the US Department of Defense.
Boeing is expected to deliver the first ESS satellite by 2031.
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