[Satellite TODAY 11-01-12] The second U.S. Air Force Space Command Space and Missile Systems Center’s Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite successfully completed its on-orbit testing on Sept. 24, the USAF announced Nov. 1.

The on-orbit testing consisted of a period of single-satellite testing followed by a period of crosslink testing between AEHF-1 and AEHF-2, and concluded with testing in the operational Milstar constellation. The test campaign showcased the performance of an all AEHF constellation, aiming to ensure the future global protection of communication when the Milstar system retires, demonstrating that multiple AEHF satellites can operate successfully within a Milstar constellation as well.

The AEHF system is a joint service satellite communications system designed to provide high-priority military ground, sea and air assets for the U.S. and international partners with survivable, global, secure, protected and jam-resistant communications. 

It is developed by the Space and Missile Systems Center’s Milsatcom Systems Directorate. The Milsatcom enterprise is comprised of satellites, terminals and control stations designed to provide communications for more than 16,000 air, land and sea platforms in support of the president, secretary of defense and combat forces.