Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS)

The Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) program is a major initiative under the Department of the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, specifically managed by the United States Space Force. ESS is designed to serve as the backbone for Joint All Domain Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3), replacing the legacy Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Strategic Satellite Communications system. The primary goal is to deliver global, integrated, survivable, resilient, and dynamic communications capabilities for strategic ground, sea, and air assets. This ensures assured connectivity for the National Command Authority (NCA), Combatant Commanders, and joint warfighters in all operational environments, including the Arctic. The program is structured to address emerging threats and maintain strategic SATCOM capabilities across the full spectrum of conflict.

The Space Segment of ESS is a critical component, transitioning from a Middle-Tier Acquisition (MTA) to a Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) in FY 2025. This segment focuses on designing, prototyping, and producing next-generation NC3 Strategic SATCOM space vehicles. Key objectives include the development and integration of resilient, cybersecure payloads and auxiliary technologies through competitive rapid-prototyping contracts with industry leaders. The program aims to accelerate technology readiness, mitigate schedule risks, and ensure system resiliency against adversarial threats. By FY 2026, significant non-recurring engineering activities will be underway to support critical design reviews and the build/test of Space Vehicles 1 and 2, with the goal of achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by 2032.

The Ground Segment, known as GRIFFON (Ground Resilient Integration & Framework for Operational NC3), encompasses the Ground Integration and Framework (GIF), System of Systems Integration (SoSI), and mission software applications. GRIFFON is tasked with delivering a resilient, modular, and cybersecure architecture that bridges modern software practices with legacy terminal capabilities. The program utilizes the Software Acquisition Pathway and Other Transactional Authority (OTA) to foster rapid prototyping, leveraging small businesses for innovation and cost efficiency. In FY 2026, GRIFFON will focus on integration and testing across all ground software applications, terminals, and operational sites. This ensures interoperability with the ESS Space Segment and cryptographic modernization efforts. The ground segment also supports the development of mission planning, command and control (C2), and user terminal modernization to meet critical integration milestones.

The Crypto Segment centers on the development, integration, and testing of National Security Agency (NSA)-certified End-Cryptographic Units (ECUs). These units are essential for secure encryption in ESS payloads, buses, and test terminals, supporting Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C), Mission Data, Transmission Security (TRANSEC), and Communications Security (COMSEC). The program partners with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Cryptologic and Cyber System Division (CCSD) to ensure the delivery of production ECU units for integration and testing. FY 2026 objectives include the delivery of ECU production representative articles for the first ESS space vehicles and the modernization of the Protected SATCOM Key Management Architecture (PKMA) to support ESS constellation operations.

The Acquisition Strategy for ESS is structured to maximize competition, innovation, and risk reduction. The Space Segment began with rapid prototyping contracts to mature key technologies, followed by a competitive source selection for the build, integration, and delivery phase. The Ground Segment employs agile software development and competitive prototyping, with down-selects to the most promising vendors for framework and integration. The Crypto Segment follows an ACAT III acquisition strategy, ensuring NSA certification and interoperability with existing and future SATCOM architectures. This approach is designed to avoid vendor lock, promote teaming with non-traditional industry partners, and accelerate capability delivery to meet strategic need dates.

Across all segments, the ESS program is guided by validated requirements from the Joint Requirements Oversight Council and United States Space Command, ensuring compliance with NC3 classification and addressing capability gaps identified in key studies and analyses. The program leverages modular open system approaches to support incremental enhancements and maintain flexibility for future upgrades. Funding supports technology development and integration, as well as program management, technical analysis, and engineering support necessary to deliver a fully integrated, resilient strategic SATCOM capability.