In a major advancement for U.S. military space operations, the Space Force has awarded Boeing a $2.8 billion contract to deliver secure and resilient satellite communications under the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program. The deal initially covers the production of two satellites, with the possibility of two more under future options.
This competitive win places Boeing ahead of Northrop Grumman, both of which have been developing ESS prototypes since 2020. Boeing’s system is designed to withstand emerging space-based threats and ensure uninterrupted, high-security communications for critical missions.
Kay Sears, Boeing’s Vice President of Space, Intelligence, and Weapons Systems, emphasized the mission’s importance: “Our architecture is built to perform without compromise, ensuring secure communications in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.”
ESS will replace the aging Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) constellation with enhanced cyber protection and greater operational resilience. Full contract execution is anticipated by 2033, while the broader ESS program, valued at $12 billion, will also feature expanded capabilities for Arctic operations.
Coinciding with the ESS announcement, the Space Force disclosed the cancellation of the Protected Tactical SATCOM–Resilient (PTS-R) program. This move aligns with a shift in strategy focused on faster deployment of satellite capabilities, particularly those supporting anti-jam operations via the Protected Tactical Waveform.
Although PTS-R has been scrapped, key components of the SATCOM architecture—including Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global, Protected Tactical Enterprise Service, and other critical systems—will remain intact. The revised approach is expected to streamline development, cut costs, and reduce program risk.
The first launch of Protected Tactical SATCOM prototypes is scheduled for 2026.
