Enhanced Polar System (EPS)
Providing continuous coverage in the polar region for secure, jam-resistant, strategic and tactical communications.
EPS: Next-Gen EHF Satellite Communications for the North Pole
The Enhanced Polar System (EPS) represents an evolution of requirements for protected extremely high frequency (EHF) satellite communications in the North Polar Region; above 65 deg N. EPS is the next-generation SATCOM system that will replace the current Interim Polar System (IPS) and serve as a polar adjunct to the Advanced EHF system.
Secure, Jam-Resistant SATCOM for Polar Region Ops
EPS will provide continuous coverage in the polar region for secure, jam-resistant, strategic and tactical communications to support peacetime, contingency, homeland defense, humanitarian assistance and wartime operations.
The system consists of two EHF communications payloads hosted on satellites operating in highly elliptical orbits, modified AEHF communications terminals, a Gateway to provide connectivity into other communication systems and the Global Information Grid (GIG) and the EPS Control and Planning Segment (CAPS) to provide telemetry and control, mission planning and cryptographic planning for the EPS payload.
Military SATCOM for Polar and Mid-Latitude Operations
The EPS system will provide communications for military tactical and strategic forces and other users for operations above 65 deg N. Additionally, EPS provides connectivity to Combatant Commander Command and Control (C2) centers below 65 deg N.
EPS characteristics include protected communications services, communications services without continuous system C2, integrated capability allowing different levels of planners to manage their resources, interconnectivity between Enhanced Polar satellites and mid-latitude users via an EPS Gateway located at a GIG PoP (Point of Presence), data rates between 75 bps and 1.28 Mbps (threshold) and an AEHF Extended Data Rate (XDR)-interoperable waveform.
With the first operational availability in 2018, EPS will be an essential adjunct to the MILSATCOM mid-latitude systems.
Protected EHF Communications Above 65° N
- Primary Function: Protected EHF communications above 65 deg N
- Payload: Interoperable with AEHF Extended Data Rate (XDR) waveform
- Antennas: 1 spot beam on Gateway, 1 user spot beam, 1 user earth coverage beam
- Capability: 20 channels x 64 kbps/channel each (Previous information provided by, and published with the permission of the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force).
- Payload prime contractor: Northrop Grumman
Contact Us
Michelle Monroe
424-378-2754