About the AEHF Program:
The Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Program is the next generation of global, secure, survivable communication system for all services of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The Advanced Extremely
High Frequency (AEHF) satellite will be a constellation of communications satellites in geosynchronous orbit that will replenish the existing EHF system
MILSTAR satellite at a much higher capacity and data rate capability. The DoD's MILSTAR secure communication satellite program currently has a four-satellite
operational constellation. The last MILSTAR satellite was launched in April 2003.
AEHF adds new higher data rate modes to the low data rate and
medium data rate modes of MILSTAR satellites. The higher data rate modes will provide data rates up to 8.2 million bits of data
per second (Mbps) to future Advanced EHF Army terminals. AEHF satellites will provide 10 times greater total capacity and
offer channel data rates 6 times higher than the MILSTAR communications satellites. The higher data rates enables transmission
of tactical military communications such as real-time video, battlefield maps, and targeting data.
- 24-hour low, medium, and high data rate satellite connectivity from 65 N to 65 S latitude worldwide
- 8 full time spot beam antennas @ 75 bps to 8.192 Mbps data rate
- 24 time shared spot beam antennas @ 75 bps to 2.048 Mbps data rate
- 2 crosslink antennas per satellite (10 Mbps)
- Up to 160 cellular coverages (75 bps to 8.192 Mbps)
- X-band frequency data rate capable
The AEHF is a collaborative program that also includes resources for Canada, the United
Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
AEHF Mission:
The AEHF constellation will provide survivable, anti-jam, worldwide secure communications for strategic and tactical users.
FY 2012 AEHF DoD Program:
Funds SV-1 on-orbit tests and operations, SV-2 launch and on-orbit/operations support, Mission Control Segment (MCS) development. Propose the
use of the Evolutionary Acquisition for Space Efficiency (EASE) approach to initiate the
procurement of the SV 5-6 Block Buy, address obsolescence issues as well as implement a
Capability and Affordability Improvement Program (CAIP) for future vehicles.
For more information, click to see the Complete FY 2012 AEHF Budget.
Source: DoD, Lockheed Martin Corp., and J. Kasper Oestergaard |
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