Summary: SSC achieved several first-ever wins during its demonstration of Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) satellite communications (SATCOM) with joint warfighters:
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Frequency hopping at variable interference levels;
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Over-the-air operations via five PTW-enabled terminals;
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Secure Voice Over Internet Protocol call;
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and Ground bounce via a commercial SATCOM satellite.
The PTW SATCOM capability will enable warfighters to operate in closer proximity to threats within contested environments.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - The United States Space Force (USSF)’s Space Systems Command (SSC) performed a demonstration of Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) satellite communications (SATCOM) with joint warfighters from July 14-16, 2025. The demonstration leveraged the latest versions of Boeing-developed subsystems within the Protected Tactical Enterprise System (PTES) Program. Several first-ever accomplishments were achieved, including a successful demonstration of frequency hopping at variable interference levels; successful over-the-air operations via five PTW-enabled terminals; a secure Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call; and ground bounce via a commercial SATCOM satellite. The team will continue to work with the Joint Force community to scope PTES participation in upcoming operational demonstrations and exercises.
“This demonstration culminates years of industry and government partnership to realize a modern, anti-jam, low probability intercept waveform that will underpin future tactical SATCOM operations,” explained Ms. Erin Carper, senior program director for the Protected Tactical Waveform Family of Systems. “Adversaries and allies understand the criticality of SATCOM in the modern battlefield, and the threats to SATCOM have evolved accordingly. The PTES Program will ensure that U.S. and allied warfighters can operate through these threats.”
The PTES Program, part of SSC’s Military Communications and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Program Executive Office, will provide worldwide anti-jam, Low Probability of Intercept communications for tactical warfighters via the Protected Tactical Waveform. PTW will enable warfighters to operate through the evolving, global threat of electronic warfare attacks that continues to expand in both number and types of weapons.
Production-representative PTW modems for user terminals were developed by the Protected Tactical Service Field Demonstration and will be acquired separately by each Service and by international partners. The Navy Wideband Anti-Jam Modem System, the Air Force-Army Anti-Jam Modem, and other stakeholders rely on the PTES Program to provide PTW ground infrastructure.
The first phase of the PTES program will provide PTW broadcasted over the Wideband Global SATCOM system; the second phase will expand the capability over commercial satellites and the Protected Tactical SATCOM (PTS) system.
About Space Systems Command
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to outpace emerging threats and protect our Nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense, working with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academia, and allied nations. For more information, visit ssc.spaceforce.mil and follow @USSF-SSC on LinkedIn.
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