First AEHF Satellite Mission Launches Successfully

Officials at Lockheed Martin announce that the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite that the corporation built for the US Air Force has successfully launched on August 14.

The newly-launched satellite is the most technologically advanced military communications instrument ever developed, and its goal is to make battlefield communications possible in all situations.

The system addresses fighters on ground, sea and air platforms, and provides them with improved global, survivable, highly secure, protected, communications.

The primary objective of the AEHF mission is to ensure that the US president and his military commanders never lose contact with troops on the battlefield.

According to Lockheed Martin, the satellite would ensure a “survivable line of contact even in hellish scenarios of nuclear warfare.”

The spacecraft took off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), in Florida. It launched atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas 5 delivery system, from the spaceport's Complex 41.

The countdown ended at 7.07 am EDT (1207 GMT), and the satellite separated from its carrier vehicle after 51 minutes.

The 13,420-pound (6,090-kilogram) payload was ejected while it was flying high above the Indian Ocean.

“This morning’s successful launch is testimony to the dedication, skill and operational excellence of the entire government-industry AEHF team,” explained on August 14 Col. Michael Sarchet, who is the commander of the Protected Satellite Communications Group at the US Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center.

“For over 15 years, the Milstar constellation has served as the backbone of secure military communications, helping the military operate in a secure mode without concern of enemy interference,” he added.

“AEHF will significantly enhance our national security space architecture, and we eagerly anticipate providing this new capability to the warfighter,” the official explained further.

“The team of folks behind the first AEHF mission is a great set of Americans who have dedicated many years of their life to put this satellite into orbit,” Sarchet concluded.