U. S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) E-4B Aircraft High-Capacity Crossover (HCX) Broadband Aero Mobile Satellite Communication Service

The United States Space Force Space Systems Command is conducting market research through a Request for Information for a High-Capacity Crossover (HCX) Broadband Aero Mobile Satellite Communication Service to support the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command's E-4B aircraft fleet. This procurement will establish critical communications connectivity for the Secretary of Defense and other senior U.S. leaders aboard these aircraft, requiring global, two-way, broadband Military Ka-band satellite service subscriptions with terrestrial communications backhaul. Key requirements include secure beam steering capability, a web-based network management system portal, 24/7 network operations center support, host nation approval license assistance, and an exceptional 99.999% operational availability standard. The service must provide global coverage from 60 degrees north to 60 degrees south latitude and support up to 90 Mbps aggregate data rates across the fleet. Vendors must submit their responses to this RFI by September 19, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST, and the government expects to solicit the requirement through GSA with vendors required to submit 10-page capabilities statements demonstrating their ability to meet performance objectives.

This opportunity does not include any set-aside designations and will utilize a competitive procurement process. Boeing currently holds the incumbent contract (SBS0023) for similar services, which will end on March 31, 2026, making this a follow-on requirement. The contract structure will consist of a one-year base period with four one-year option periods, commencing on April 1, 2026, for a potential total performance period of five years. The service will support four E-4B aircraft in the fleet, including the National Airborne Operations Center, with aircraft modem capabilities supporting transmit speeds up to 15.5 Mbps and receive speeds up to 98 Mbps. While specific award values are not disclosed in this pre-solicitation phase, the government is conducting this market research specifically to ensure fair and reasonable pricing for the eventual contract award. The procurement falls under the commercial satellite communications managed network services category and will be structured as a FAR Part 12 commercial service utilizing existing government-owned air and ground modems.