The U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command has awarded Boeing a $2 billion contract for the next two Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellites.
Fielded in 2019, four MUOS Geosynchronous satellites — built by incumbent Lockheed Martin — provide military forces ultra high frequency (UHF) voice and data communications. In addition to the four operational satellites, the Space Force has one on-orbit spare.
In January, 2024, the Department of the Air Force chose Lockheed Martin and Boeing to develop MUOS satellite concepts under Phase 1 of the MUOS Service Life Extension (SLE) program, and the new award is the Phase 2 final design, production, testing and delivery contract for MUOS SLE.
Managed by the narrowband satellite communications division of SSC’s System Delta 88, the MUOS SLE program “is designed to address the approaching end-of-service life for existing satellites and proactively prevents a communications gap for warfighters,” SSC said on Wednesday. “Planned for launch no earlier than 2031 and 2032, these new space vehicles will directly support warfighters by extending the MUOS constellation’s operational lifespan to 2035.”
In 2024, SSC had said that the first MUOS SLE satellite would be ready for launch in 2030.
The new MUOS SLE award to Boeing “strengthens our global communications infrastructure, ensuring our joint and coalition partners have the tools needed for advanced mil-UHF WCDMA [Wideband Code Division Multiple Access] communications,” Erin Carper, the acting Space Force portfolio acquisition executive for Satcom and Positioning, Navigation and Timing, said in the SSC statement. “By empowering our warfighters with secure and reliable connectivity, we enhance operational effectiveness across the globe.”
This story was first published by Defense Daily
