Boeing Wins US$2.8 Billion Contract for US Space Force Satellites

Boeing has secured a US$2.8 billion contract from the US Space Force to develop and produce two next-generation satellites under the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program. The agreement includes options for two additional satellites, which could raise the total contract value to US$3.75 billion. The first satellite is scheduled for delivery by 2031.

The ESS program is intended to replace the aging Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) system, previously developed by Lockheed Martin. These new satellites will play a critical role in the United States’ nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) infrastructure, ensuring secure, survivable, and jam-resistant communications for national leadership and strategic forces—even in the event of a nuclear conflict.

According to the US Space Force, Boeing was selected over Northrop Grumman following a competitive process that began in 2020. Both companies had previously been awarded contracts to develop ESS prototypes. Boeing has now been named prime contractor for the program’s next phase, covering both development and initial production.

“The strategic communication mission requires protection, power and always-available capability, even through adversary attempts to interrupt our connectivity,” said Cordell DeLaPeña, Program Executive Officer for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, US Space Force. He emphasized the importance of ensuring continuous and secure communications under all conditions.

The ESS satellites will operate in geostationary orbit, 22,000 miles above Earth, providing persistent regional coverage to strategic warfighters globally. The full constellation is expected to offer worldwide coverage, including the Arctic region, which has been identified as a growing area of strategic interest.

Boeing stated that the ESS satellite design incorporates technologies from its existing Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) platform, as well as its commercial spacecraft built for SES’s O3b mPOWER broadband system. “This win validates all the investments and innovations we’ve made in our satellite technology,” said Michelle Parker, Vice President, Boeing Space Mission Systems.

While the US$2.8 billion contract covers only the satellite development and production component, the full ESS program is a US$12 billion initiative. This includes separate efforts for ground systems, cryptographic infrastructure, and user terminals — the latter enabling access to the ESS network for various branches of the US military.