Minimum Essential Emergency Comm N

The Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network (MEECN) program is a critical Air Force initiative aimed at modernizing and sustaining the systems that ensure assured communications connectivity between the President and strategic deterrence forces, particularly in stressed or contested environments. The primary goal of MEECN is to provide survivable, secure, and reliable communication paths for the transmission of Emergency Action Messages (EAMs), Force Management messages, and Force Direction messages to bomber, tanker, and reconnaissance aircrews. This capability is essential for maintaining national command authority and strategic deterrence posture under all conditions, including nuclear or electromagnetic pulse (EMP) events.

The MEECN portfolio is being advanced through the Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal (Global ASNT) program, which is divided into two major increments. Global ASNT Increment 1 focuses on replacing legacy, unsustainable strategic communications equipment at Wing Command Posts (WCPs) and for Mobile Support Teams (MSTs). This increment delivers Extremely High Frequency/Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF/AEHF) capabilities, replacing older Single Channel Anti-jam Man-Portable (SCAMP) terminals and Secure, Mobile, Anti-Jam, Reliable, Tactical-Terminal (SMART-T) equipment. Objectives for Increment 1 include full-rate production, fielding of terminals, engineering and depot standup activities, production configuration control, and site installations. By the third quarter of FY25, all Increment 1 terminals are expected to be installed, ensuring enhanced survivability and connectivity for strategic aircrews.

For Increment 1, FY2026 funding supports ongoing Interim Contractor Support (ICS), program office activities, depot planning, and initial Security Classification Guide (SCG) implementation. The program addresses diminishing manufacturing sources (DMS) risks by qualifying alternative suppliers for critical components, such as Microwave Power Modules. The manufacturer for Increment 1 equipment is Raytheon, located in Largo, FL, with installations conducted by contract field teams. The focus is on both fixed and transportable kits, ensuring flexibility and resilience in communications infrastructure.

Global ASNT Increment 2 introduces an Aircrew Alerting System (AAS) with personal and general alerting equipment, as well as High Frequency (HF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) capabilities. This increment aims to replace obsolete Electromagnetic Pulse Hardened Dispersal Communication (EHDC) systems and Aircrew Alerting Communications Electromagnetic Pulse (AACE) systems. Objectives include procurement, installation, and checkout of non-High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) systems, HEMP-hardened systems, and HEMP Mod Kits to retrofit non-HEMP systems. Increment 2 also encompasses operator and maintainer training, site surveys, initial spares, ICS, Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), and government test support.

Funding for Increment 2 in FY2026 supports installation and checkout of non-HEMP systems, procurement of HEMP systems, and associated change orders and training. The program also addresses DMS hardware replacements and system modifications. The manufacturer for Increment 2 systems is General Dynamics Mission Systems, based in Taunton, MA, with installations performed at contractor facilities. The Department of the Air Force is actively assessing options to address funding shortfalls for Increment 2, including future budget requests, performance trades, or alternative acquisition pathways.

Both increments of the MEECN program are supported by related Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding under Program Element 0303131F. The overarching objective is to ensure that strategic communications infrastructure remains robust, survivable, and technologically current, capable of supporting national command authority in all scenarios. The MEECN line item reflects a comprehensive approach to procurement, installation, support, and modernization, with a focus on mitigating obsolescence and maintaining operational readiness.