Boeing Lands $2.8B Deal to Boost U.S. Strategic Satellite Communications

The U.S. Space Force has awarded a contract for the development and production of two advanced satellites, with the option to build two additional units. These satellites will support resilient, space-based nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) capabilities for the President and joint strategic forces around the globe.

Part of the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program, the initiative aims to deliver upgraded, secure, and protected satellite connectivity. It will specifically support Presidential National Voice Conferencing and strengthen the broader NC3 infrastructure vital to national security.

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has secured a $2.8 billion contract to support the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program, a key space-based element of the United States’ nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) system. The agreement includes the development and production of two satellites, with options to build two additional ones in the future.

“This is a pivotal moment to advance U.S. space capabilities and maintain peace through strength,” said Cordell DeLaPena, Program Executive Officer for the Military

Communications and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Directorate at the U.S. Space Force. “Strategic communications demand robust protection, power, and constant availability—even in the face of adversary disruption. These new satellites will play a vital role in delivering secure space-based connectivity as part of a modernized NC3 architecture.”

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The ESS satellites will deliver greater capacity, adaptability, reliability, and resilience than the current strategic communications systems in orbit. Since 2020, Boeing has been working on technical development and risk mitigation under a rapid prototyping contract with the U.S. Space Force.

“The nation requires a strategic communications system that is fail-proof and offers the highest levels of protection and performance,” said Kay Sears, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space, Intelligence and Weapon Systems. “We’ve developed an advanced system that ensures secure, uninterrupted communication, even as threats in space continue to evolve.”

Boeing’s ESS platform builds on technologies developed for the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS)-11 and WGS-12 satellites, as well as those already proven in orbit through the commercial O3b mPOWER network. Leveraging this experience, the new ESS constellation will feature highly adaptable, secure signal capabilities designed to withstand jamming, interference, and interception.

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“This contract win is a strong endorsement of the investments and innovations we've made in satellite technology, resulting in a mature and low-risk solution for the government,” said Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems. “We’ve expanded our production capabilities, strengthened our team with top security-cleared talent, and established active production lines to ensure we’re ready to deliver from day one. Our focus is firmly on providing this vital capability to meet the nation’s strategic demands.”

Once deployed in geostationary orbit—roughly 22,000 miles (35,700 kilometers) above Earth—the ESS satellites will offer continuous coverage to support strategic military forces around the globe. The spacecraft will use a highly secure waveform and incorporate classified technologies developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Boeing is scheduled to deliver the first of the two satellites by 2031.