Tags: Lockheed Martin, Air Force, Advanced Extremely High Frequency
Publication: ChicagoTribune.com
Publication Date: 12/20/2012

In Sunnyvale, Calif., Lockheed Martin engineers inspect the U.S. Air Force’s second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite before it is shipped to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., for launch. Image credit: Lockheed Martin

Reports indicate that an agreement on the deal between Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force for new military communications satellites is unlikely to be reached before the end of the year. Negotiations are still happening between the parties for the $2.6 billion contract but, according to Air Force officials, there’s still work to be done.

The Air Force is negotiating the purchase of two Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellites from Lockheed Martin. Military officials had expected to sign a fixed-price, incentive fee contract with the company for the spacecraft this summer, which would have save the Air Force more than 10 percent compared to earlier contracts. However, the agreement hasn’t been reached yet.

There are currently two AEHF satellites in orbit used to ensure uninterrupted military communications among top military commanders and the White House in the event of a nuclear war. The spacecraft also provide transmission of more routing communications such as targeting data and video data feeds.

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