Family of Advanced BLoS Terminals (FAB-T)

The Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T) program, managed under Program Element (PE) 1203001SF, is a key Air Force and Space Force initiative focused on developing, integrating, and fielding advanced satellite communications terminals for strategic and national command, control, and communications (NC3) missions. The overarching goal of FAB-T is to replace legacy Milstar and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) terminals with modern, secure, and survivable Extremely High Frequency (EHF) systems capable of supporting both nuclear and conventional forces. The program is structured to deliver protected high data rate communications for airborne, ground, and command post platforms, leveraging Milstar, Advanced EHF (AEHF), and Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) satellite constellations.

Presidential and National Voice Conferencing (PNVC) Integrator is a critical subprogram within FAB-T, designated as Project 673035. PNVC replaces the Survivable Emergency Conferencing Network (SECN) and is responsible for providing anti-jam, anti-scintillation, survivable, and enduring voice communications for national and strategic users via AEHF and ESS satellites. The PNVC Integrator oversees end-to-end integration of constituent components, including requirements traceability, system testing, configuration, training, network transition, deficiency identification, and lifecycle support.

The program supports installation at ground command locations and three aircraft platforms, with activities in FY 2025 2026 focused on integration, training, and preparation for Initial and Full Operational Capability. The PNVC Integrator program also manages funding and integration for Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) components of the PNVC system, as mandated by the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. Key accomplishments include completion of Multi-Service Operational Test and Evaluation (MOT&E) and ongoing software maturation through FY 2026.

The acquisition strategy emphasizes rapid integration, system testing, and transition to sustainment, with Raytheon and various other contractors supporting product development, technical analysis, and enterprise systems engineering and integration.

FAB-T Force Element Terminal (FET), designated as Project 673040, is another major line item under PE 1203001SF. The FET program replaces UHF Milstar terminals with advanced EHF terminals for strategic warfighters, primarily supporting airborne platforms such as the B-52 aircraft. The objective is to provide worldwide, survivable, anti-jam, low probability of detect/intercept (LPD/LPI) communications for both nuclear and non-nuclear missions. FET terminals are designed to be interoperable with AEHF, Enhanced Polar Systems-Recapitalization (EPS-R), and other satellite constellations, ensuring secure communications in contested environments.

Development activities for FAB-T FET include design, reliability growth testing, fabrication of prototypes, and integration/testing of terminals to meet stringent security and environmental requirements. The program follows a Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) rapid prototyping approach to accelerate development and meet USSTRATCOM's strategic NC3 mission needs. In FY 2025, efforts focused on qualification test planning, logistics, risk reduction, technical studies, and platform integration. The program is transitioning to the Major Capability Acquisition pathway at Milestone C, with plans for low-rate initial production beginning in FY 2026.

Both PNVC Integrator and FAB-T FET are supported by a mix of product development, test and evaluation, and management services contracts, with significant involvement from Raytheon and other technical and engineering organizations. Funding adjustments in recent years reflect reprogramming to avoid work stoppages and support accelerated development timelines. The transfer of FAB-T FET from Space Force to Air Force in FY 2026 aligns with broader NC3 modernization efforts and ensures continued support for strategic communications capabilities.