Boeing wins $298M Evolved Strategic SATCOM prototype contract

(Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct information about which companies have received ESS contracts.)

Boeing on Thursday received a $298 million contract to develop a satellite payload prototype as part of the Space Force's Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications program.

The company joins Northrop Grumman, who will also compete a prototype for ESS, which is meant to replace the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites that are on orbit today. Lockheed Martin is also expected to receive an ESS contract.

The prototypes are expected to be completed by 2025, which is when the Space Force expects to select a provider.

"By leveraging our expertise in digital engineering and technologies with synergies across both our government and commercial systems, we're uniquely positioned to deliver solutions needed to address the ever-evolving threats," Boeing Vice President of Government Satellite Systems Troy Dawson said in a press release.

ESS is one of four flagship Space Force programs that will use digital engineering concepts as part of development and production, Inside Defense reported last month. The work is led by the Space and Missile Systems Center, which is developing a digital engineering acquisition strategy.