...Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite six months ahead of schedule. The milestone marks the completion of the first major phase in the satellite’s assembly, integration and test and is a key indicator that Lockheed Martin and the Air Force are successfully streamlining processes to achieve affordability goals.

AEHF, the next generation of protected military satellite communications satellites, provides vastly improved global, survivable, highly secure, protected communications for strategic command and tactical warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms. The system also serves international partners including Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The AEHF-4 system module includes the satellite’s payload structure module and electronic components that are critical to controlling its communications payload and ensuring the satellite’s health and safety throughout its on orbit mission life. The AEHF payload provider, Northrop Grumman, will now integrate the satellite’s advanced communications payload with its system module. The fully integrated system module will then be returned to Lockheed Martin’s Sunnyvale, California, facility for final satellite integration and test.

Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to deliver four AEHF satellites and the Mission Control Segment. The program has begun advanced procurement of long-lead components for the fifth and sixth AEHF satellites. AEHF-1 and AEHF-2 have both launched and are on orbit. Lockheed Martin has completed work on AEHF-3 and is now preparing the satellite for a September 2013 launch date.