Advanced Extremely High Frequency

Advanced Extremely High Frequency
Name	Advanced Extremely High Frequency
Country	United States
Organization	United States Space Force, Lockheed Martin
Orbit	Geostationary orbit
Status	Operational

Advanced Extremely High Frequency. The Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) system is a series of communications satellites operated by the United States Space Force and developed by Lockheed Martin, with significant contributions from Northrop Grumman and Boeing. The AEHF system provides secure communications for the United States Armed Forces, National Security Agency, and other Five Eyes partners, including Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. The system is designed to replace the Milstar satellite constellation, which was launched in the 1990s and operated by the United States Air Force.

Introduction

The Advanced Extremely High Frequency system is a critical component of the United States military's communications infrastructure, providing jam-resistant and low-probability-of-intercept communications for tactical and strategic operations. The system is designed to support NATO and other coalition forces, including those from France, Germany, and Italy. The AEHF system is also compatible with the Wideband Global SATCOM system, which is operated by the United States Army and provides wideband communications for tactical operations. The development of the AEHF system involved collaboration with NASA, European Space Agency, and other international partners, including Canadian Space Agency and Australian Defence Force.

System Overview

The Advanced Extremely High Frequency system consists of a constellation of geostationary satellites that provide global coverage and high-gain antennas for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint communications. The system is designed to support a wide range of communications protocols, including Internet Protocol and Asynchronous Transfer Mode. The AEHF system is also compatible with the Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System and other tactical reconnaissance systems, such as those used by the United States Navy and Royal Air Force. The system's development involved significant contributions from MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other research institutions, including Stanford University and California Institute of Technology.

Satellite Constellation

The Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite constellation consists of six satellites that are launched into geostationary orbit using Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles, which are operated by United Launch Alliance. The satellites are designed to provide redundancy and failover capabilities, ensuring that the system remains operational even in the event of a satellite failure. The AEHF satellite constellation is operated by the United States Space Force's 50th Space Wing, which is headquartered at Schriever Air Force Base and provides space situational awareness and space control capabilities. The constellation is also supported by NASA's Deep Space Network, which provides tracking and telemetry services for the satellites.

Technical Specifications

The Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites are equipped with high-gain antennas and low-noise amplifiers that provide high-sensitivity and high-selectivity communications. The satellites operate in the extremely high frequency (EHF) band, which provides jam-resistant and low-probability-of-intercept communications. The AEHF system supports data rates of up to 8.2 megabits per second and provides error correction and encryption capabilities, including those developed by National Institute of Standards and Technology and National Security Agency. The system is also compatible with the Global Information Grid, which is a network-centric architecture developed by the United States Department of Defense.

Operational History

The first Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite was launched on August 14, 2010, using an Atlas V launch vehicle, which was operated by United Launch Alliance and launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The second satellite was launched on May 4, 2012, and the third satellite was launched on September 18, 2013. The fourth satellite was launched on October 17, 2018, and the fifth satellite was launched on August 8, 2019. The sixth and final satellite was launched on March 26, 2020, marking the completion of the AEHF satellite constellation. The system has been used to support a wide range of military operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and has provided critical communications capabilities for coalition forces, including those from United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Security Features

The Advanced Extremely High Frequency system provides a range of security features, including encryption and authentication capabilities, which are developed by National Security Agency and National Institute of Standards and Technology. The system uses public-key cryptography and symmetric-key cryptography to protect communications and prevent eavesdropping and jamming. The AEHF system is also designed to be resistant to interference and jamming, and provides error correction and retransmission capabilities to ensure that communications are reliable and secure. The system's security features are regularly tested and evaluated by National Security Agency, Defense Information Systems Agency, and other organizations, including MITRE Corporation and Sandia National Laboratories.

Category:Satellite constellations