US Space Force's EPS-R achieves operational acceptance, extending secure Arctic SATCOM capabilities into the 2030s

The U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command and Combat Forces Command announced Jan. 18, that the Enhanced Polar System – Recapitalization program has achieved operational acceptance. Procured by SSC’s System Delta 88 and operated and sustained by CFC’s Mission Delta 8, the EPS-R system supports a wide range of tactical missions, including Command and Control of tactical forces; connectivity for deployed Special Operations Forces; connectivity for rapidly deployed land, sea, or air forces; and C2 connectivity between Combatant Commanders and their components.

EPS-R significantly increases the capacity of the existing Enhanced Polar System payloads and extends the mission until next-generation protected military satellite communications systems come online in the mid-2030s. The system provides and supports the capability to carry secure teletype, voice, email, instant messaging, video, multimedia and data communications, and provides robust bandwidth and communication coverage enabling secure voice and data networks.

With operational acceptance achieved, the EPS-R program is now poised to provide vital secure communication capabilities to U.S. and allied forces operating in the Arctic, supporting critical missions and enhancing national security. The successful implementation of EPS-R is a critical step in the U.S. Department of War’s efforts to provide continuous protected communication to U.S. forces operating in the northern polar region (above 65 degrees North Latitude). EPS-R will extend the EPS capability into the early tomid-2030s to prevent a polar coverage gap until the Evolved Strategic SATCOM polar variants are available.

The EPS-R program consists of two Extremely High Frequency tactical MILSATCOM payloads hosted on Space Norway's Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission satellites. The ASBM mission launched in August 2024 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This partnership between the USSF and Space Norway represents a historic achievement, marking the first time an operational U.S. military payload has been hosted on an international ally space vehicle and delivered its ground system eight months prior to launch. The Northrop Grumman-led Control and Planning Segment ground system, upgraded with common baseline software, operates both EPS and EPS-R, streamlining operations and eliminating the need for separate control systems. This milestone marks the culmination of a successful collaboration with SSC, Space Norway, and Northrop Grumman, delivering enhanced and protected MILSATCOM to U.S. and allied forces operating in the strategically important northern polar region.