Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS)
Abstract
The ESS system continues the strategic SATCOM mission of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) program by providing space and mission control segments for worldwide and arctic DoD strategic, secure, jam-resistant, nuclear-survivable communications for ground, sea, and air assets. ESS will meet the requirements for strategic communications and capability gaps identified in the Protected Satellite Communications Services (PSCS) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), the Protected Follow-on for Resiliency (PAFR) Study and the Strategic Tiger Team, The ESS architecture and functionality will be designed in accordance with the United States Strategic Command's signed ESS Concept of Operations and the Joint Requirements Oversight Council's validated Capability Development Document (CDD) satisfying the legacy AEHF strategic requirements and mission performance with enhancements for increased resiliency and cybersecurity. ESS will support strategic mission requirements such as Presidential and National Voice Conferencing (PNVC), Nuclear Command and Control (NC2) strategic networks, terminal report back, and Emergency Action Message (EAM) dissemination. The program will provide the National Command Authority (NCA) and Combatant Commanders with highly-reliable, secure Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) to execute the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP), and command and control strategic forces at all levels of conflict. ESS will support the forecasted 2030 strategic demand in all operational environments (nuclear, contested, and benign) and will be compatible with the eXtended Data Rate (XDR) waveform. The ESS system will also satisfy emerging requirements and capabilities for enhanced resilience by accommodating on-board resilience payload(s) and incorporating improved resiliency and cybersecurity features. For more rapid and resilient strategic capability risk reduction, the ESS Program Office is developing an acquisition strategy that leverages Section 804 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 for rapid prototyping and rapid fielding to the greatest extent practical, while maintaining the continuity of the AEHF strategic mission that interfaces operationally within the existing Nuclear, Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) architecture. Activities for the ESS ground segment acquisition includes evolving and enhancing existing ground segment, space-to-ground segment integration, and modernization in support of Enterprise Ground Services compatibility, in accordance with the approved acquisition strategy and schedule. Space acquisition must respond with speed and agility to emerging adversary threats. Space & Missile Systems Center (SMC) is transforming the organization and implementation of space acquisition to an enterprise approach, maximizing innovation and resiliency, leveraging international, commercial, and mission partnerships, and managing program/project priorities according to an integrated unclassified/classified enterprise space architecture. Expanding the appropriate acquisition authorities and contract mechanisms to deliver capability sooner, SMC will strategically execute experimentation, prototyping, risk reduction, and other efforts to develop new or repurpose capabilities. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver ESS weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392F and 1206398F. As directed in the FY 2018 NDAA, Sec 825, amendment to PL 114-92 FY 2016 NDAA, Sec 828 Penalty for Cost Overruns, the FY 2018 Air Force penalty total is $14.373M. The calculated percentage reduction to each research, development, test and evaluation and procurement account will be allocated proportionally from all programs, projects, or activities under such account. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Source ID
- 643725_1206855F_4_3600_PB_2020
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- Root: Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS)
- Child Accomplishment: Technical Baseline and Architectural Engineering
- Child Accomplishment: Acquisition Strategy and Space Segment Prototyping Preparation Activities
- Child Accomplishment: Space Segment Prototyping
- Child Accomplishment: ESS Ground Segment and Space-to-Ground Integration
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