The U.S. Space Force has awarded Boeing a $2.8 billion contract to develop two secure communications satellites under the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program, the Department of Defense announced Thursday. The decision positions Boeing as the lead contractor for the next generation of highly secure military satellites designed to operate in increasingly contested space environments.
The award follows a competitive prototyping phase between Boeing and Northrop Grumman, which began in 2020. The new agreement includes options for the Space Force to purchase two additional satellites, supporting broader ambitions for a $12 billion ESS program aimed at replacing the legacy Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) system.
The ESS satellites are expected to enhance resilience against cyber threats and deliver survivable communications capabilities for critical strategic operations. According to the Space Force, Boeing's system is designed to offer improved protection and adaptability as geopolitical and technological threats continue to evolve.
Work under the contract is expected to be completed by 2033, with the initial two satellites forming the foundation of an expanded constellation that may eventually include specialized Arctic coverage.
In a parallel development, the Space Force also announced the cancellation of its Protected Tactical SATCOM–Resilient (PTS-R) program. The termination reflects a shift toward a more modular “family of systems” approach that emphasizes quicker delivery of advanced anti-jamming capabilities and cost efficiencies. Instead, the service will prioritize the existing Protected Tactical Waveform initiative, along with related systems such as Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global and Enterprise Management and Control.
The restructured strategy aims to deliver capabilities faster and at lower risk, while maintaining baseline architectures that support joint operational needs across the Air Force and Army.