Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Nuclear satellite terminal upgrade to begin operational testingPublished Jan. 14, 2015
                    
                    By Justin Oakes
                    
                    
                    66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
            **HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (AFNS) --**The nuclear satellite communication terminals that connect U.S. leaders to Minuteman combat crews in the event of a nuclear attack are currently undergoing an upgrade and scheduled to begin operational testing this month.
The Air Force will be updating its intercontinental ballistic missile communication systems located in the ICBM Launch Control Centers (LCC). This is an effort led by the Minuteman Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network Program Upgrade team (MMPU), at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. MMPU will be the first Air Force Advanced Extremely High Frequency terminal fielded in support of the new Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite architecture.
Using extremely high frequency signals from a Milstar satellite, current terminals receive emergency action messages and serve as the primary satellite communications system for ICBM LCCs. The development of the AEHF satellite constellation to replace Milstar requires the Air Force to upgrade its hardware to support AEHF operations.
According to program officials, the month-long operational testing period will determine how well the new equipment operates in the field while running on active networks.
"The end result is an upgrade that will bring numerous benefits, including an expansion in capability, enhanced operator control and a state-of-the-art security architecture," said Brett Fagan, the MMPU program manager. "For example, backwards compatibility is crucial. After we modify the existing (extremely high frequency) terminals, we will be able to communicate with both AEHF satellite and Milstar EHF constellations."
One of the most notable capability improvements comes in the form of data rate transfers. Under the AEHF satellite constellation, messages are transmitted many times faster than the current Milstar system.
In addition to increased data rates, MMPU will provide a state-of-the-art nuclear security architecture.
"When dealing with nuclear assets, it goes without saying that having the most up-to-date security technology is critical." Fagan said. "The upgraded terminals will be equipped with the latest crypto modifications and modern crypto key designs."
Another key difference between the legacy system and MMPU's version pertains specifically to Minuteman combat crew operators -- MMPU gives them more control. LCC operators will now have the ability to switch satellites through the terminal, eliminating the need for maintenance crew dispatch to change the terminal communication plans.
"Many LCCs are not easy to get to, so the ability to avoid the dispatch of maintenance teams for routine tasks ensures a more seamless mission capability," Fagan said.
MMPU program officials remain optimistic that the upgrade will reach initial operational capability in early 2016. Ultimately, the team intends to modify all the terminals within the LCCs managed by three bases: Malmstrom AFB, Montana; F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming; and Minot AFB, North Dakota.
"MMPU provides our national leadership with an advanced, secure and agile C3 capability for our ICBM forces, and will greatly enhance crew communications," said Col. Todd Krueger, the Space, Aerial and Nuclear Networks Division senior materiel leader. "A successful operational test is the last major step before fielding this critical system. We are ready to go, and I'm confident we will succeed."intercontinental ballistic missiles 



ICBM 



upgrade 



Nuclear satellite terminal Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander emphasizes five focus areas during AFA Warfare Symposium
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil