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Next-gen communications satellites come online, Air Force says
Next-gen communications satellites come online, Air Force says
An artistic impression of advanced extremely high-frequency satellite in orbit.(Photo: Space and Missile Systems Center)
The military began using its next-gen communications satellite system July 28, announced Gen. John Hyten, the Air Force Space Command leader.
The Advanced Extremely High Frequency system reached its initial operational capability, or IOC, Hyten said. The joint-service system, currently comprised of three satellites, is designed to provide the military with clearer, more robust communications that are more resistant to jamming.
“Achieving AEHF IOC is a great accomplishment for the team,” said Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, the Space and Missile Systems Center commander. “We're proud to deliver an unparalleled leap forward in protected communications capability for both our nation's senior leaders and also our warfighters in the field.”
The satellites provide “survivable, global, secure, protected, and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea, and air assets,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
The AEHF system is designed to replace the current Milstar satellites that were launched during the 1990s and early 2000s. The Pentagon said the new system will provide 10 times the throughput of the old satellites and a substantial increase in coverage.
Three more AEHF satellite launches are planned from 2017 to 2019. The first three satellites launched in 2010, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
The improved communications won’t just benefit the U.S., but also international military partners including Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, the Pentagon said.
Next-gen communications satellites come online, Air Force says
An artistic impression of advanced extremely high-frequency satellite in orbit.(Photo: Space and Missile Systems Center)
The military began using its next-gen communications satellite system July 28, announced Gen. John Hyten, the Air Force Space Command leader.
The Advanced Extremely High Frequency system reached its initial operational capability, or IOC, Hyten said. The joint-service system, currently comprised of three satellites, is designed to provide the military with clearer, more robust communications that are more resistant to jamming.
“Achieving AEHF IOC is a great accomplishment for the team,” said Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, the Space and Missile Systems Center commander. “We're proud to deliver an unparalleled leap forward in protected communications capability for both our nation's senior leaders and also our warfighters in the field.”
The satellites provide “survivable, global, secure, protected, and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea, and air assets,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
The AEHF system is designed to replace the current Milstar satellites that were launched during the 1990s and early 2000s. The Pentagon said the new system will provide 10 times the throughput of the old satellites and a substantial increase in coverage.
Three more AEHF satellite launches are planned from 2017 to 2019. The first three satellites launched in 2010, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
The improved communications won’t just benefit the U.S., but also international military partners including Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, the Pentagon said.
