The U.S. Space Force has selected Boeing (NYSE: BA) to advance the next phase of the Mobile User Objective System Service Life Extension (MUOS SLE) programme, aimed at enhancing secure military communications for users operating globally.
The contract, valued at up to $2 billion, includes developing two narrowband communications satellites designed to support reliable voice and essential data transmission. The first satellite delivery is scheduled for 2031.
The MUOS SLE programme is intended to sustain and improve critical communications capabilities used by military personnel operating across land, sea, and air domains, particularly in environments where connectivity is challenging.
“We’re grateful for the trust the U.S. Space Force has placed in our team for a capability that matters to military users around the world,” said Sam Greaves, Vice President, Boeing Space Mission Systems. “For the people who depend on this connectivity, the need is clear: secure communication that works in demanding conditions. Our team knows this mission and is ready to help the customer extend and improve a system they count on every day.”
Boeing brings decades of experience in Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communications and played a key role in the existing MUOS constellation through payload development and delivery. UHF technology enables reliable connectivity in difficult terrain, urban environments, and adverse weather conditions.
“This award builds on our deep UHF heritage and the trust we’ve built supporting this critical national security mission,” stated Ryan Reid, Senior Director, Space Communications Programs, Boeing. “When military users are operating in the most demanding conditions, this narrowband capability is their lifeline. By building on our active 702MP spacecraft production line, we bring immediate execution momentum, proven reliability, and schedule predictability to the U.S. Space Force.”
The MUOS SLE system is built on Boeing’s 702MP medium-class spacecraft platform and is dwssaasesigned to enhance capacity, reduce interference, and strengthen global connectivity, ensuring long-term support for secure military communications operations.
