Technology attributes
Other attributes
The Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF for short) system is a joint service satellite communications system that provides survivable, global, secure, protected, and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea, and air assets. A successor to the Milstar satellite communications system, the AEHF system augments the capabilities of Milstar, while also expanding the MILSATCOM architecture to provide 24/7 global coverage. AEHF allows for connectivity across a multitude of mission areas, including land, sea, and air warfare; special operations; strategic nuclear operations; strategic defense; theater missile defense; and space operations and intelligence. The AEHF became fully operational on March 26, 2020, after the U.S. Space Force launched AEHF-6, the sixth AEHF satellite built by defense company Lockheed Martin, into orbit. All six AEHF satellites were developed by Lockheed Martin at their Sunnyvale, California production facility, and are the prime contractor for the AEHF system..
A digital mock-up of one of the AEHF satellites. Source: www.afspc.af.mil
The AEHF system provides continuous 24-hour coverage between the North and South Poles. The system is composed of three segments: space (the satellites), ground (mission control and associated communications links), and terminals (the users). These segments provide communications on a specified set of data rates, which range from 75 bps to 8 Mbps. The space segment is made up of the on-orbit satellite systems, which use crosslink communications to allow for full AEHF, and other satellites. The mission control segment controls satellites in orbit while also monitoring vehicle health and providing communication system planning and monitoring. In addition, mission control duties can be carried out from either fixed or mobile control stations. Finally, the terminal segment is made up of fixed and ground mobile terminals, ship and submarine terminals, and airborne terminals used by all of the services as well as international partners.
