MILSATCOM Space Modernization Initiative (SMI)

Abstract

In FY 2021, PE 1206431F, Advanced EHF MILSATCOM (Space) efforts were transferred to Appropriation 3620, Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Space Force, PE 1206431SF, Advanced EHF MILSATCOM (Space) from Appropriation 3600, Budget Activity 05 due to the creation of a new Appropriation for Space Force. The joint warfighter relies on the United States Space Force's (USSF) unprecedented ability to deliver global satellite communications (SATCOM) at all levels of warfare across the range of military operations. SATCOM provides survivable communications for Presidential support and nuclear command and control (C2) and affords national and military leaders a means to maintain strategic situational awareness and convey their intent to the Joint Force Commander. In order for the United States to maintain its asymmetric advantage of global space-based communications, the SATCOM enterprise must be prepared to "fight SATCOM" as a single enterprise through a contested, degraded and operationally-limited (CDO) environment, prevent or withstand loss, and continue to deliver effects to warfighters. The Space Modernization Initiative (SMI) evolves current and future SATCOM systems to develop a more affordable and resilient integrated "Fighting SATCOM" enterprise capable of meeting near-term and emerging requirements. Under this construct, SMI will continue the Capabilities Insertion Program (CIP) to enhance the current Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) constellation and Protected Communications performance to improve system operational resiliency. Additionally, SMI will demonstrate technologies and concepts of operations (CONOPS) that lead to a Protected Anti-Jam Tactical SATCOM (PATS) capability that provides tactical-level military SATCOM (MILSATCOM) users protected, anti-jam SATCOM while operating in a contested environment. Finally, SMI will develop and demonstrate a roadmap to evolve the current stove-piped MILSATCOM C2 management system into a commercial and military integrated "Fighting SATCOM” Enterprise. It will do this by developing and demonstrating flexible terminal interface technologies and improving ground gateways and data networking with the space segment. The Fighting SATCOM goal is to provide warfighters a seamless end-to-end SATCOM service in a CDO environment. Space acquisition must respond with speed and agility to emerging adversary threats. Space & Missile Systems Center (SMC) has transformed 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 1206392SF and 1206398SF. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2022
• Source ID: 657104_1206431F_5_3600_PB_2022

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space