“Boeing’s Strategic Moves: Targeting Key Satellite Contracts with U.S. Space Force”
Boeing has its sights set on securing two significant satellite contracts from the U.S. Space Force, capitalizing on its recent successes with Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellites and its established position in commercial spacecraft manufacturing.
Space Force
The Space Force plans to solicit proposals this year for specialized, jam-resistant satellite systems categorized as “no fail” assets, crucial for secure communications even in challenging environments.
Michelle Parker, Vice President for Space Force Mission Systems at Boeing Defense, Space & Security, emphasized the government’s preference for mature and low-risk technologies.
Boeing intends to vie for these contracts by adapting commercial technology for military purposes, a strategy Parker described as promising amidst the evolving landscape of military satellite communication.
The first program of interest for Boeing is the Protected Space Force Tactical Satcom (PTS), aimed at establishing a constellation of encrypted communication satellites. The other program is the Evolved Strategic Satcom (ESS), envisioned to create a network of satellites resilient to nuclear conflict for facilitating crucial communications.
Regarding PTS, Boeing and Northrop Space Force Grumman are competing with prototype payload designs, with Boeing planning to integrate its payload on the WGS-11 satellite, contracted under a $605 million deal. Northrop Grumman’s design will launch on a dedicated spacecraft. The Space Force plans to request bids for the production of PTS payloads after in-orbit demonstrations in 2025.
For ESS, Boeing and Space Force Northrop Grumman were chosen to develop satellite prototypes, aiming to augment and eventually replace the existing Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) network by Lockheed Martin.
Boeing’s approach involves leveraging its integrated payload array technology, used in WGS-11, WGS-12 (recently awarded $439 million), and commercial O3b satellites for global satellite operator SES. Parker highlighted the technology’s adaptability for military use, emphasizing its digitally engineered nature and investments in automation.
One significant advantage of the digital payload is its ability to electronically steer thousands of individual beams simultaneously, ensuring communication reliability in contested environments. The beam technology is specifically designed to counter jamming and interference, crucial features for military satellite systems.
