The United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded a $2.8 billion contract to Boeing to develop and deliver the first two satellites for the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program, an advanced initiative to modernize the U.S. military’s nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) architecture.
The agreement includes options for two additional satellites and marks a significant milestone in strengthening space-based strategic deterrence capabilities.
The award follows nearly five years of rigorous industry competition and government collaboration, stemming from 2020 rapid prototyping contracts initially granted to Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. Boeing ultimately prevailed in the final selection to lead the development of the ESS space segment.
“Today’s award culminates nearly five years of industry competition and Government partnership to show the Space Force’s readiness to spearhead the modernization of the NC3 enterprise with the development and production of the ESS weapon system,” said Col A.J. Ashby, Program Director for ESS. “The result for our Nation will be the delivery of resilient space-based capabilities that will command and control our nuclear forces through all operational environments, critical functions necessary for enduring nuclear deterrence.”
ESS: Critical Infrastructure for U.S. Strategic Deterrence
The ESS program will serve as the primary strategic SATCOM system for the NC3 mission. Once operational, the new satellites will provide secure, protected, and resilient communications to ensure the survivability and effectiveness of America’s nuclear triad—comprising land-based missiles, strategic bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
Deployed in geostationary orbit at approximately 22,000 miles (35,700 kilometers) from Earth, the ESS satellites will offer persistent global coverage. The program is designed to replace the aging Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite constellation with a modernized architecture that incorporates enhanced flexibility, cybersecurity, and resilience against evolving space-based threats.
“The strategic communication mission requires protection, power and always-available capability, even through adversary attempts to interrupt our connectivity,” stated Cordell DeLaPena, Program Executive Officer for Military Communications and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing. “These satellites will provide connectivity from space as part of a refreshed NC3 architecture for our nation.”
Boeing’s ESS solution integrates advanced technologies derived from its Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS)-11 and WGS-12 satellites, as well as commercial innovations from the O3b mPOWER constellation. The spacecraft will leverage highly protected waveforms and classified technologies co-developed with the U.S. Department of Defense to safeguard communications from interception or disruption.
“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.”
Boeing emphasized its readiness to deliver, highlighting the scaling of production lines and the expansion of its cleared workforce to ensure on-time development. “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,” added Michelle Parker, Vice President of Boeing Space Mission Systems.
Phased Acquisition Strategy and Agile Development
The first two satellites under the ESS program are scheduled for delivery by 2031. According to SSC, this initial tranche will support Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and form the foundation of a broader $12 billion acquisition effort to eventually deliver Full Operational Capability (FOC), including enhanced coverage of critical regions such as the Arctic.
The ESS initiative employs agile acquisition strategies, incorporating the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA), Other Transaction Authorities (OTA), and the Software Acquisition Pathway to accelerate development timelines and reduce costs.
“ESS is threat-driven and risk-informed in order to evolve faster than adversaries can adapt,” the Space Force noted. “With this contract award, ESS is poised to deliver resilient NC3 satellites in a fraction of the cost and time of legacy programs.”
Global Deterrence through Space Superiority
In line with U.S. strategic objectives, the ESS program underpins a broader vision of “peace through strength” by ensuring uninterrupted command and control capabilities in all threat environments.
Space Systems Command reaffirmed the program’s enduring importance: “ESS will ensure America’s modernized nuclear triad functions as a deterrent capability in the face of both conventional and nuclear threats. ESS will also continue Advanced EHF’s legacy of partnering with key international allies to deliver peace through strength through integrated deterrence.”
With its combination of hardened communications, advanced encryption, and survivability under hostile conditions, the ESS constellation will provide the President of the United States and joint strategic forces worldwide with reliable access to critical information—cementing space as an indispensable domain in modern defense operations.