By Marina Malenic
The Air Force’s first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite is awaiting launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., this weekend, the Air Force said yesterday.
The launch date has been set for Aug.14, the service said in a press statement. The launch window is 7:07 to 9:06 a.m. EDT.
Lockheed Martin [LMT] is the AEHF prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman [NOC] as the payload provider.
“The team has executed a smooth and efficient transition to the launch pad and we look forward to achieving mission success for our customer,” said Mike Davis, Lockheed Martin’s AEHF vice president.
Lockheed Martin has delivered the first satellite in the AEHF program, SV-1, to Cape Canaveral, where it is undergoing preparations for liftoff.
The AEHF system is designed to provide the Pentagon and other government officials with protected, high capacity communications. It is the successor to the five-satellite Milstar constellation.
Canada, Netherlands and the United Kingdom have participated in the development effort and will receive new capability once SV-1 is online, Air Force officials have said (Defense Daily, Aug. 4).
The second AEHF spacecraft, SV-2, has completed a test that verified all spacecraft interfaces, demonstrated full functionality and evaluated satellite performance and is now preparing for testing to ensure the spacecraft is ready for flight.
The third satellite, SV-3, has completed acoustic testing. SV-2 and SV-3 are on track for launch readiness in 2011, according to the Air Force and Lockheed Martin.
Lockheed Martin is under contract to provide three satellites and the Mission Control Segment (MCS) ground system. The program has begun advanced procurement of long-lead components for a fourth AEHF satellite.
In August 2002, the Government awarded the AEHF contract for $2.9 billion, which included SV-1 and SV-2, along with their associated MCS. As of July 2010, the current scope of the AEHF contract is approximately $4.8 billion and includes the addition of SV-3. Based on July 2010 cost performance reports, Lockheed Martin’s estimate at completion for the current scope of work is just under $6.5 billion, a Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing spokesperson said via email.