The sixth Lockheed Martin-built Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-6) protected communications satellite successfully completed its On-Orbit Test (OOT) period on August 27.
“Successful OOT demonstrates that all space vehicle performance requirements have been met and that we are on track for satellite control authority handover to Space Operations Command before the end of the year,” Erik Daehler, director of Lockheed Martin’s Protected Communications mission area, said. “This is a great accomplishment for the industry-government team, bringing incredible capability for our warfighters.”
AEHF-6 will be part of a geostationary ring of ten satellites in the AEHF-MILSTAR constellation delivering global coverage for communications for American strategic command and tactical decision-makers operating on ground, sea and air platforms.
The satellite adds increased resiliency and advanced capabilities to this constellation.
The AEHF system also serves Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and the UK.
AEHF-6 was successfully launched on March 26 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket. The launch was the first mission launch for the US Space Force.
As prime contractor, Lockheed Martin Space developed and manufactured all six AEHF satellites at its production facility located in Sunnyvale, California.
The AEHF team is led by the Production Corps, Geosynchronous Earth Orbit/Polar Division, at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California.