The U.S. Space Force is advancing the nation’s strategic communications architecture with the procurement of a vital mission planning application for the Evolved Strategic SATCOM, or ESS, system to deliver secure, highly resilient connectivity for national leadership and strategic forces, Space Systems Command announced July 27.
The Acting Space Force Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Satellite Communications and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing awarded a $287 million Other Transaction Authority agreement to Sphinx Defense through the Space Enterprise Consortium to develop and complete prototyping for the ESS Mission Planning application.
ESS is a Department of War satellite communication system that will serve as the next generation of strategic nuclear command, control, and communications. It provides secure, highly jam-resistant, and survivable communications capabilities, enabling the President, Secretary of War, and other national leaders to effectively command and control U.S. forces globally.
This Phase 3 agreement builds directly on designs from Phases 1 and 2, which were competitive prototyping phases designed to cultivate a best-in-class application for ESS Mission Planning.
This award delivers the vital mission planning capability for ESS, ensuring the ground segment is fully prepared to manage complex global scenarios. By leveraging competitive prototyping during the earlier phases, Space Systems Command is fielding an application that is both highly capable and ready to integrate seamlessly into the larger enterprise.
“System Delta 88 must field this crucial nuclear command, control, and communications satellite mission planning capability with combat quality, combat speed, and combat responsiveness to win the high-end fight in contested environments,” said Col. Ryan Rose, System Delta 88 commander.
Source: Space Systems Command
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