Boeing Wins Up to $2B U.S. Space Force MUOS SLE Contract

The U.S. Space Force has selected Boeing for a contract valued at up to $2 billion to advance the next phase of the Mobile User Objective System Service Life Extension program. This effort centers on the development and delivery of two new narrowband communications satellites intended to sustain secure military links across global operations. ## Contract Scope and Timeline The award covers design, production, and delivery of the satellites, with the first unit scheduled for handover in 2031. The program builds directly on Boeing’s prior work supplying payloads for the existing MUOS constellation. By extending the system’s operational life, the contract aims to maintain reliable voice and essential data services for users who operate in challenging environments. The structure of the agreement positions the company to apply established processes from the outset, supporting continuity for military communications that serve personnel worldwide. ## Spacecraft Design and Capabilities The satellites will be constructed on Boeing’s 702MP medium-class platform, a design already in active production. This approach leverages recent deliveries of multiple 702MP spacecraft since the fourth quarter of 2025, providing established manufacturing processes and schedule predictability. The narrowband architecture prioritizes Ultra High Frequency signals that maintain connectivity where other links may face disruption from terrain, urban density, or weather. Boeing’s accumulated experience in secure UHF systems forms the technical foundation for meeting these objectives under the new contract. ## Performance Objectives Program goals include higher communications capacity, reduced interference, and improved overall connectivity. These enhancements are intended to support military personnel on the ground, at sea, and in the air through the next decade. The satellites are designed to sustain and improve a critical communications capability used by military users operating in conditions where reliable connections are harder to maintain. Company statements emphasize that the narrowband capability serves as a lifeline for users in demanding conditions, extending the reach of secure links well into the 2030s. ## Industry and Production Context The selection reflects Boeing’s established role in national security space programs and its ongoing 702MP production line. Company executives noted that the award extends a long-standing relationship with the U.S. Space Force on this critical communications mission. The contract structure allows the team to apply proven hardware and processes immediately upon execution. Boeing brings decades of experience in secure Ultra High Frequency communications to the program, having played a key role in the current MUOS constellation through payload development and delivery. This background supports the transition to the service life extension phase without requiring new production infrastructure. ## Why it matters for AeroLink pilots Military aviation operations that depend on secure narrowband links stand to benefit from the extended system capacity and reliability described in the award. Pilots and crews who rely on these connections during demanding missions gain continued access to a capability designed specifically for difficult operating conditions, supporting sustained global reach well into the 2030s. [Further details appear in the original announcement from Aviation24.be](https://www.aviation24.be/manufacturers/boeing/u-s-space-force-awards-boeing-up-to-2-billion-contract-to-extend-secure-global-military-communications/) and the [Boeing newsroom release](https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=131680). The program’s emphasis on proven spacecraft production and UHF performance directly informs long-term planning for users who integrate these satellites into their communications architecture.