Next-Stage C4ISR Bandwidth: The US Military’s AEHF Program (updated)
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Boeing, C4ISR, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Design Innovations, Electronics - General, FOCUS Articles, IT - Cyber-Security, L3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, Project Management, R&D - Contracted, Raytheon, Satellites & Sensors, Transformation
(click to view full)
The USA’s new Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellites will support twice as many tactical networks, while providing 10-12 times the capacity and 6 times higher data rate transfer than that of the current Milstar II satellites. They will form the secure backbone of the Pentagon’s intermediate term Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) architecture, until the larger capacity Transformational Communications Satellite System or its equivalent enters service. Its companion Family of Advanced Beyond-line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) program will give the US military modern capabilities and more flexibility on the receiving end.
Like a number of current US satellite development programs, the AEHF program has been cited for cost overruns and schedule slips, in part as a result of failures by the US National Security Agency to furnish key cryptography requirements and specifications in a timely manner.
DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. This article offers a look at the AEHF system’s rationale and capabilities, while offering insight into some of the program’s problems, and an updated timeline covering over $5 billion worth of contracts since the program’s inception.
The latest news involves a $250+ million award, for reasons that are not good news. Plus additional follow-ons that seek to determine the extent of the problem and appear to be assessing expansion of the AEHF program…
- The AEHF Program (i.e. “Continue reading…”)
- FAB-T Terminals and Ground Control
- FAB-T: Contracts and Key Events, full history
- The AEHF Satellites
- The AEHF Satellites: Contracts & Key Events, full history [updated]
- Additional Readings
One Source: Hundreds of programs; Thousands of links, photos, and analyses
DII brings a complete collection of articles with original reporting and research, and expert analyses of events to your desktop - no need for multiple modules, or complex subscriptions. All supporting documents, links, & appendices accompany each article.
Benefits
- Save time
- Eliminate your blind spots
- Get the big picture, quickly
- Keep up with the important facts
- Stay on top of your projects and your competitiors
Features
- Ability to conduct complex searches
- Coverage of procurement and doctrine issues
- Timeline of past and future program events
- Comprehensive links to other useful resources
