Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS)
Abstract
ESS is the backbone for Joint All Domain Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3). The system will replace Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Strategic Satellite Communications (SATCOM) services to provide global, integrated, survivable, resilient, and dynamic ground and satellite communications for assured strategic endurance across the conflict continuum. The ESS program underwent a resiliency architecture shift to address emerging sophisticated threats and to ensure strategic SATCOM capabilities are available to the National Command Authority (NCA), Combatant Commanders, and joint warfighters in any potential future conflict. It will provide the only arctic DoD strategic communication capability across the joint enterprise, and will provide worldwide secure, jam-resistant communications for strategic ground, sea, and air assets. ESS will support existing strategic user terminals in all operational environments. ESS is acquired and developed in several parallel efforts to accelerate delivery of capability to warfighters by the strategic need date in FY 2032. The ESS System includes a Space Segment (ACAT-I), Ground, User, and Integration Segment (ACAT-I equiv), and a Crypto Segment (ACAT-III). The Space Segment is leveraging a Middle-Tier Acquisition (MTA) for rapid prototyping, technology maturation, and resilient strategic capability risk reduction. The Ground Segment, also known as GRIFFON - Ground Resilient Integration & Framework for Operational NC3, is comprised of the Ground Integration and Framework (GIF), System of Systems Integration (SoSI), and Mission Software Applications. This enables a resilient and modular cybersecure architecture that bridges the gap between modern software best practices and legacy user terminal capability. The GIF/SoSI is leveraging Software Acquisition Pathway Other Transactional Authority for rapid prototyping of ground software. The ESS Ground Framework creates the cybersecure software development, integration, and operational environments utilizing agile Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles and onboards hosted external mission applications and services. The SoSI ensures all ESS segments that are acquired in parallel, in addition to external entities, work together to accomplish the mission. Additional mission-unique capabilities, like In-Band C2, Out-of-Band C2, Strategic Mission Planning, Test, Evaluation, Training, and other similar mission capabilities will be acquired modularly as applications that will be hosted on the ESS Ground Framework. The Crypto Segment is focused on the development, integration and testing of National Security Agency (NSA)-certified End-Cryptographic Units (ECUs) that are required for secure strategic communications encryption in the ESS payloads, bus, test terminals, and user terminals. The modular acquisition approach allows the program to avoid "vendor lock” in all segments and creates opportunities for industry competition and teaming with small innovative non-traditional partners for the Ground Segment on the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) Other Transactional Authority (OTA). SpEC requires ESS Ground Segment Prime vendors (currently Lockheed Martin & Raytheon) to utilize small businesses for no less than 46% of prototyping work, allowing the program to integrate innovative best practices, increase agility, reduce costs and development lifecycles, while also expanding the resilient and strategic SATCOM ecosystem. The ESS system adheres to NC3 classification requirements. 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 Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) strategic requirements and mission performance with enhancements for increased resiliency and cybersecurity. The ESS system will satisfy emerging requirements using modular open system approaches to support incremental enhancements. 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 1206392SF, 1206398SF. 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, 2025
- Source ID
- 643725_1206855SF_4_3620F_PB_2025
Related Documents
- Root: Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS)
- Child Accomplishment: Space Segment Prototyping
- Child Accomplishment: Space Development and Production
- Child Accomplishment: Ground Resilient Integration & Framework for Operational NC3 (GRIFFON)
- Child Accomplishment: End-Cryptographic Unit (ECU)
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