Lockheed's AEHF Satellite Passes Test

Lockheed Martin's first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite has passed a test demonstrating its readiness to enter environmental testing in preparation for launch next year.

The AEHF system passed the baseline integrated system test, establishing a performance baseline for environmental testing, including acoustic and thermal vacuum testing.

AEHF satellites will provide greater total capacity and higher channel data rates than the entire Milstar satellite constellation.

The high data rates will permit the transmission of secure, tactical military communications such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data.

Lockheed says the satellite is expected to be deployed in 2008.

By staff writer