Next-Stage C4ISR Bandwidth: The US Military’s AEHF Program (updated)
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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 big news involves a $250+ million award in December 2008, for reasons that are not good. But the program continues, with a $175 million award to keep satellite construction moving along, and early payload delivery by Northrop Grumman…
- 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
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