The contract for design concepts was issued by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, aiming to protect challenged and threatened high-security communications. SS/L plans to fulfill the contract by combining commercial developments’ expertise and existing technologies with existing military technologies for both the space and ground-segment aspects of the Milsatcom program.

"The protected Milsatcom contract is an opportunity for SS/L to continue its efforts to serve the U.S. government with cost-effective solutions based on commercial market innovation," SS/L President John Celli said in a statement. "Working with our industry partners, we will use domain expertise, proven military technology, and our supply chain efficiencies to quickly bring increased capability to the warfighter."