First AEHF satellite

Lockheed Martin has completed on-orbit testing of the first advanced extremely high frequency (AEHF) military communications space vehicle (SV-1) which was launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in August 2010.

The SV-1 satellite reached the geosynchronous orbit two months after it was launched following the completion of a work-around orbit-raising plan.

On-orbit testing of the satellite comprised establishing communications networks between combinations of EHF terminals at extremely high frequency terminals at Milstar data rates and also at new AEHF extended data rates.

Lockheed Martin Global Communications Systems vice president and general manager, Kevin Bilger, said: "I am extremely proud of the team that raised SV-1 to geosynchronous orbit and successfully demonstrated its on-orbit performance."

Bilger continued: "Their ingenuity, perseverance, and dedication to the mission enabled this critical national asset to stand ready to provide our warfighters around the globe with unprecedented new protected communications capabilities."

The Lockheed team started testing with SV-1 before progressing onto SV-1 networked with the Milstar constellation.

After the completion of the testing, the satellite will be handed over to the 14th Air Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US.

The SV-1 AEHF satellite has been developed to enhance global, survivable, secure and protected communications for US Department of Defense forces in ground, sea and aerial environments.

Lockheed Martin said that an AEHF satellite offers greater capacity than the whole Milstar constellation currently on-orbit.

The individual user data rates will be five times improved, providing transmission of tactical military communications, which include real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data.

Further to the tactical mission, AEHF also will enable the vital survivable, protected, and endurable communications to the National Command Authority, including presidential conferencing in all levels of conflict.

The AEHF team comprises the US Air Force Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, US.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems is the prime contractor for AEHF programme and is also responsible for the provision of space and ground segments as well as system integration, while Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems is the payload provider.

 

Image: SV-1 AEHF satellite will enhance the global, survivable, secure and protected communications for US defense forces. Photo: Lockheed Martin