An Atlas V rocket launches the Navy's Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) 2 satellite from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. MUOS is a next-generation narrow band tactical satellite communications system designed to significantly improve beyond-line-of-sight communications for U.S. forces on the move. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of NASA by Patrick H. Corkery/Released)
WASHINGTON ― The Space Force has chosen Boeing over original contractor Lockheed Martin to build two more Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) narrow-band communications satellites, Space Systems Command (SSC) announced today.
The $2 billion contract covers “development, delivery, system integration and on-orbit test support” of the two new birds under SSC’s two-year MUOS Service Life Extension competition, according to the SSC release. Set to be launched “no earlier” than 2031 and 2032, according to the release, the new satellites will bring the MUOS constellation up to seven satellites total. Lockheed Martin built the first five MUOS satellites.
MUOS provides secure ultra-high frequency satellite communications to the US military services and those of allies, in particular to naval forces. Responsibility for the program was transferred from the US Navy to the Air Force in 2019 and subsequently to the Space Force.
