Iridium’s Satellite Network Operating Center (SNOC). Photo: Iridium

Iridium has won a long-term U.S. government contract that could be worth just over $100 million. It has been tapped by the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command‘s Commercial Space Office (COMSO) for Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) capabilities and security sustainment services (ECS3) for a new five year deal. Iridium announced the new deal, June 4.

The previous iteration of this contract, known as ‘GMSSA’ was signed in 2019 for 4.5 years and valued at $54 million. In September 2019, Iridium was awarded a seven-year, $738.5 million airtime services contract by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), continuing the EMSS program and furthering Iridium’s role as a key part of the United States government’s critical communications infrastructure through at least 2026. This new ECS3 contract will support the infrastructure used for EMSS through 2029.

In support of the Iridium EMSS program, the ECS3 contract will ensure continued optimal operations of the EMSS Service Center in support of critical U.S. government applications. The value of the contract is approximately $94 million with a potential total value of $103 million, based on future surge requirements. The Iridium EMSS program aims to deliver access to truly global unlimited secure and standard narrowband voice, broadcast, push-to-talk and select additional services to an unlimited number of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and DoD-approved subscribers.

“This new contract ensures our critical support to the EMSS Service Center well into the future. We have been working with Department of Defense EMSS Program Office for over 20 years, providing the sustainment and security enhancements necessary for our warfighters to execute their missions. The EMSS mission is a perfect example of the U.S. Space Force’s recently released Commercial Space Strategy, leveraging the innovation of Iridium and our valuable partner ecosystem,” Scott Scheimreif, executive vice president, government programs, Iridium, said in a statement.