Lockheed Martin vs. Boeing: The Battle to Deliver Next-Generation Military Communications Satellites for the US Space Force – SOFREP News Team

In the race to develop the next generation of military communications satellites, Lockheed Martin and Boeing are vying for a significant contract under the US Space Force’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Service Life Extension program.

This contract, an estimated $2.5 billion initiative, is designed to modernize the Space Force’s ultra-high frequency (UHF) narrowband satellite network.

Both aerospace giants have recently made substantial progress by successfully completing their respective Early Design Reviews (EDRs), marking a key milestone in the development process.

The next phase will be crucial as the Space Force evaluates these designs to select the contractor for the production of the next-generation MUOS satellites, expected to launch by 2030.

The Early Design Reviews: A Crucial Step Forward

The early design reviews are a critical step in the development of the next-generation MUOS satellites. Both Lockheed Martin and Boeing received $66 million in funding in January 2024 as part of the program’s initial phase to complete these reviews.

The successful completion of the EDRs signals that both companies’ designs meet the necessary technical criteria to proceed with further development, reducing risks and setting the stage for the next phase of the program.

Lockheed Martin, which has extensive experience with the existing MUOS constellation, has demonstrated its readiness by partnering with SEAKR Engineering, a Raytheon Intelligence & Space subsidiary. Together, they have developed an advanced payload processor that can be reprogrammed in space, a critical advancement over the current system. This new technology is designed to increase the adaptability and longevity of the MUOS satellites, allowing them to evolve with emerging mission needs.

Lockheed Martin’s design has reached Technology Readiness Level-6, which signifies that the system is ready for production.

On the other side of the competition, Boeing has proposed a design based on its 702MP satellite platform, which is already in use with other Space Force communications satellites.

Boeing’s proposed system builds on the reliability and success of its existing technologies, offering a proven solution that aligns with the Space Force’s mission requirements.

Boeing completed its design review in December 2024, positioning itself as a strong contender for the contract.

Advancing Military Communications

Both Lockheed Martin and Boeing’s satellite designs are intended to provide secure, reliable, and high-performance communications for military forces on the move.

The MUOS network, consisting of operational satellites and relay ground stations, allows for simultaneous voice, video, and data communications in remote areas, making it a crucial tool for the US military.

Lockheed Martin’s next-generation satellite design focuses on its advanced payload processor, which can be reprogrammed once the satellite is in orbit.

This reconfigurable capability is a groundbreaking feature, allowing the system to adapt to new mission requirements and threats throughout the satellite’s lifespan.

The ability to reprogram key components in orbit ensures that the satellites remain relevant and capable in an ever-changing technological and security landscape.

The processor is designed with state-of-the-art space technology to optimize processing performance, resilience, and resource utilization, ensuring that the satellites can perform at peak efficiency.

Boeing’s design, based on its 702MP platform, offers a tried-and-true solution that has already been proven with other Space Force communications satellites.

The 702MP platform is known for its flexibility, robustness, and performance, offering a reliable foundation for the MUOS Service Life Extension program.

While Boeing’s design doesn’t feature the same reprogrammable payload processor as Lockheed Martin’s, the 702MP’s track record in military communications offers confidence in its ability to meet the Space Force’s mission needs.

The MUOS Network: Empowering Mobile Military Forces

The primary mission of the MUOS satellites is to provide secure, beyond-line-of-sight communications for mobile military forces.

The current MUOS network includes four operational satellites and one spare, with the US Navy having transferred control of the system to the Space Force in March 2023.

These satellites function like a military cellular network, supporting secure, high-data-rate communications for users in remote and hostile environments.

The existing MUOS network has significantly improved military communications by enabling simultaneous voice, video, and mission data transmission across vast distances.

It supports over 67,000 users, providing reliable communication in some of the most challenging environments, even in the farthest corners of the globe.

As part of the Service Life Extension program, the next-generation satellites are expected to provide even more advanced capabilities, such as increased processing power, improved security, and greater flexibility in response to emerging threats.

Both Lockheed Martin and Boeing’s proposed systems will be key to ensuring that military personnel can continue to rely on secure, real-time communications during operations. As the military faces increasingly complex and dynamic threats, the next generation of MUOS satellites must be able to provide the highest level of performance and reliability.

The Future of MUOS: Competition and Commercial Alternatives

The ongoing competition between Lockheed Martin and Boeing is only one part of the broader conversation around military satellite communications. As both companies advance their designs, there is growing debate about whether the US military should continue to invest in systems like MUOS or pivot to commercial alternatives.

Companies like Starlink, Iridium, Lynk Global, and AST SpaceMobile are developing satellite services that could allow standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites, potentially offering a more cost-effective and scalable solution for military communications.

Experts like Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, have previously argued that the Space Force should consider canceling the MUOS extension program, suggesting that commercial satellite communications may provide superior capacity and performance compared to the current MUOS system.

The Space Force has acknowledged this shift and is evaluating commercial satellite communications services as potential supplements or replacements for legacy systems like MUOS.

Despite these emerging commercial alternatives, the MUOS program remains a cornerstone of the US military’s secure communications strategy, and the ongoing competition between Lockheed Martin and Boeing underscores the importance of ensuring that military personnel have access to reliable, secure, and high-performance communication systems.

Final Thoughts

The race between Lockheed Martin and Boeing to deliver the next generation of MUOS satellites for the US Space Force is heating up, with both companies showcasing innovative designs that will play a critical role in securing military communications in the future.

The successful completion of the Early Design Reviews has set the stage for the next phase of development, with the Space Force expected to select a contractor for the production of the next-generation satellites.

While commercial alternatives are emerging, the MUOS program remains essential to ensuring that US military forces have access to the secure, real-time communications they need to succeed in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.