Boeing says it has demonstrated a ground-based anti-jam satellite communications capability.

The company recently tested its Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES), a U.S. Space Force program to develop a ground-based anti-jam capability within the Protected Anti-Jam Tactical Satcom portfolio. The demonstration showed integration of PTES software and validated the ability of a key management system’s ability to interface with a Protected Tactical Waveform terminal, the network management software and virtualized mission planning components. In combination, these software elements enable secure communication with the ground terminal.

Boeing also is developing a Protected Tactical Satcom (PTS) prototype. The PTS program is one part of a constellation to succeed the Space Force’s Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite system. PTS will serve tactical satellite communications users sharing sensitive or classified information. Another program, the Evolved Satellite System, will support nuclear command-and-control missions.

PTES processes information on the ground, enabling secure operations using Boeing Wideband Global Satcom satellites and eventually via commercial satellites without modification to the spacecraft.

The Pentagon can use these military-grade protections to sustain high-data-rate satellite communications in sensitive environments, Boeing says.

“This incremental system demonstration provides valuable feedback from Space Force operators and other members of the user community, reducing development and integration risk, while ensuring system capabilities are adaptable to change,” said Troy Dawson, Boeing’s vice president of Government Satellite Systems. “We’re committed to the Space Force’s mission to rapidly develop and deploy technology at operationally relevant speed. Our PTES program demonstrates how stakeholder collaboration and agile development enable continued advancements to meet the evolving threats on the battlefield.”

Later this year, Boeing plans to demonstrate forward and return links using a protected tactical waveform modem. An initial capability is expected to be operational in 2023.