Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES)

The Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES) program, managed by the United States Space Force, is a critical initiative aimed at enhancing the resilience and security of military satellite communications (SATCOM) in the face of evolving electronic warfare threats. The primary goal of PTES is to provide worldwide, anti-jam, low probability of intercept communications for tactical warfighters by leveraging the Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW). This program supports both the development and integration of advanced SATCOM ground systems that can operate over military and commercial satellite constellations, ensuring robust and secure communications for joint and allied forces.

Project 643726: PTW Over WGS (PTWoW) focuses on enabling the Protected Tactical Waveform over the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system. The objectives include the development, integration, and fielding of the PTES ground system, which consists of the Mission Management System (MMS), Key Management System (KMS), and Joint Hubs (JHs). These components collectively provide the signal processing, network connectivity, and control necessary for PTW operations. The project aims to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by FY 2027 through JH installations at two WGS teleport sites. Full Operational Capability (FOC) is planned by FY 2028 with expanded coverage across at least eight sites and ten satellites.

To achieve these goals, PTW Over WGS requires ongoing research, software development, and rigorous test and evaluation activities. The program supports the integration of PTES with existing SATCOM infrastructure, the development of production-representative PTW modems for user terminals, and the implementation of system and cyber resiliency measures.

Test and evaluation are conducted in partnership with the 45th Test Squadron and STAR Delta 12 / 4th Test and Evaluation Squadron, with additional support from the Joint Satellite Engineering Center and Joint Interoperability Test Command. These efforts are designed to ensure the system meets cybersecurity and interoperability standards before full deployment.

Project 643733: PTW Over Commercial (PTWoC) extends PTW capabilities to commercial and international partner satellite constellations, with an initial focus on the O3b mPOWER Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellation through a partnership with Luxembourg. The project's objectives include procuring, installing, and testing mPOWER teleports, which provide additional SATCOM capacity to joint and allied warfighters. PTWoC aims to achieve IOC when PTW operations are available via a single Joint Hub over one commercial or international partner satellite, and FOC when coverage is expanded to nine locations supporting all equatorial longitudes and polar regions.

PTW Over Commercial includes two major efforts: the acquisition and activation of mPOWER teleports and the upgrade of PTES systems to support PTW operations over a variety of commercial SATCOM constellations. These upgrades involve developing requirements, architectures, and interfaces for interoperability with diverse terminals and access points, as well as software development, capability demonstrations, and risk reduction activities. The program leverages commercial and international opportunities to rapidly respond to emerging threats and to enhance the resilience of the SATCOM enterprise.

The PTES program employs an evolutionary acquisition strategy, initially designated as a Rapid Prototyping effort under Middle Tier Acquisition authority, and later transitioning to the Software Acquisition Pathway. The main development contract was competitively awarded to Boeing, with Raytheon as a key subcontractor for cryptographic components. The program also involves coordination with the Commercial Satellite Communications Office, NATO Support and Procurement Agency, and international partners. This collaborative approach is intended to maximize enterprise resiliency and cost-effectiveness, while ensuring timely delivery of advanced SATCOM capabilities to the warfighter.