A constellation of three AEHF, augmented by a Transformational Communications Satellite (TSAT), will provide continuous 24-hour coverage. Advanced EHF will allow the National Security Council and Unified Combatant Commanders to control their tactical and strategic forces at all levels of conflict through general nuclear war and support the attainment of information superiority.
The AEHF System is a follow-on to the Milstar system and augments and improves on the capabilities of Milstar. AEHF expands the MILSATCOM architecture to support Transformational Communications and Network-Centric Warfare. AEHF will provide connectivity across the spectrum of mission areas including land, air, and naval warfare; special operations; strategic nuclear operations; strategic defense; theater missile defense; and space operations and intelligence.
The AEHF system is composed of three segments
- Space (the satellites)
- Terminals (the users)
- Ground (mission control and associated communications links)
The space segment consists of a cross-linked constellation of three satellites. The mission control segment controls satellites on orbit, monitors satellite health and provides communication system planning and monitoring. This segment is highly survivable, with fixed and mobile control stations. System uplinks and crosslinks will operate in the extremely high frequency (EHF) range and downlinks in the super high frequency (SHF) range.
The terminal segment includes fixed and mobile ground terminals, ship and submarine terminals, and airborne terminals, including the Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight-Terminal (FAB-T), used by all of the Services and international partners (Canada, Netherlands and United Kingdom).
The AEHF satellites will respond directly to service requests from operational commanders and user terminals. They will provide real-time, point-to-point connectivity and network services on a priority basis.
On-board signal processing will provide protection and ensure optimum resource use and system flexibility among the Armed Forces and other users who operate terminals on land, sea, and air. The AEHF system will be integrated into the legacy Milstar constellation. The system will be backward compatible with Milstar’s low data rate (LDR) and medium data rate (MDR) capabilities, while providing extended data rates (XDR) and larger capacity at substantially less cost than the Milstar system. Each satellite will be launched on an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)—the first launch is planned for April of this year.
The AEHF Satellite Communications System will augment and replace the Milstar constellation, improve DoD EHF capability, and enable Transformational Communications and Network-Centric Warfare. The MILSATCOM Systems Wing is responsible for the development, acquisition and sustainment of the AEHF Program.
General AEHF Characteristics
Primary function
Global, secure, survivable satellite communications
Primary contractor
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company
Satellite Bus
A2100 line
Weight
Approximately 14,500 lbs at launch, 9,000 lbs on-orbit
Orbit-Altitude
22,300 Miles (geosynchronous)
Payload
Onboard signal processing, crossbanded EHF/SHF communications
Antennas
2 SHF Downlink Phased Arrays, 2 Crosslinks, 2 Uplink/Downlink Nulling Antennas, 1 Uplink EHF Phased Array, 6 Uplink/Downlink Gimbaled Dish Antenna, 1 Each Uplink/Downlink earth coverage horns
Capability
Data rates from 75 bps to approximately 8 Mbps
Number of Terminals Supported
6,000
Reconfigurations Time
Minutes
Launch Vehicle
Delta IV and Atlas V EELVs
Inventory
3 satellites ordered
Unit Cost
Approximately $580 Million per satellite
Information courtesy of:
MILSATCOM Joint Program Office SMC/MC
El Segundo, California
Photos courtesy of:
Northrop Grumman
& U.S.A.F. Space & Missile Systems Center