Evolved Strategic SATCOM Space Segment Rapid Prototype
Middle Tier Rapid Prototyping (MTRP)
Program facts
- Program number
- 586
- Short name
- ESS Space Segment RP
- Acquisition pathway
- Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA)
- Acquisition status
- Active
- Lead component
-
Air Force Space Command
Air Force, Department of Defense
- Contract awards
- 9
- Contract obligations
- $935,214,803 Since fiscal year 2020
Program details come from the Department of Defense's acquisition program list. Contract figures come from SAM.gov (formerly FPDS).
Contract obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Obligated |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | $125,538,141 |
| FY2024 | $284,413,761 |
| FY2023 | $300,455,189 |
| FY2022 | $93,613,521 |
| FY2021 | $60,602,803 |
| FY2020 | $70,591,389 |
Top contractors by obligations
| Rank | Contractor | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Boeing Company | $426,738,545 | |
| 2 | Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation | $425,294,425 | |
| 3 | Lockheed Martin Corp | $73,536,734 | |
| 4 | Kratos Technology & Training Solutions, Inc. | $2,688,938 | |
| 5 | Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation | $2,662,312 | |
| 6 | Raytheon Company | $2,653,409 | |
| 7 | L3 Technologies, Inc. | $963,047 | |
| 8 | Lockheed Martin Corp | $677,393 |
Contract awards
About this program
The Evolved Strategic SATCOM Space Segment Rapid Prototype (ESS Space Segment RP) is a Middle Tier Rapid Prototyping acquisition program managed by the Department of the Air Force Space Command Space and Missile Systems Center. The program focuses on developing next-generation strategic satellite communications capabilities, with emphasis on secure, survivable, and jam-resistant communications. This major defense program encompasses both space and ground segments, including satellite payload development, hardware and software systems, and associated ground communication architectures.
Contract awards under this program range from approximately $1 million to $608 million, with performance periods typically spanning 6 to 48 months. Major prime contractors include Boeing, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, L3 Technologies, Raytheon, and Kratos Technology & Training Solutions. Notable subcontractors across multiple awards include BAE Systems, Honeywell, and various specialized technology firms. The majority of contracts are firm-fixed price definitive contracts with no set-aside designations. Primary places of performance include Sunnyvale, California, and Camden, New Jersey. The contracts encompass prototype development, advanced research efforts for architectural design, technology readiness assessments, and ground communication capabilities. The Space and Missile Systems Center serves as the primary contracting authority across all awards.
Quick answers
What is ESS Space Segment RP?
Evolved Strategic SATCOM Space Segment Rapid Prototype (ESS Space Segment RP) is a Middle Tier Rapid Prototyping (MTRP) led by the Air Force Space Command. It follows the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) pathway. Its acquisition status is active.
How much has ESS Space Segment RP obligated on contracts?
9 contract awards are coded to ESS Space Segment RP, and their actions have obligated $935,214,803 since fiscal year 2020.
Who are the top contractors on ESS Space Segment RP?
The contractors obligated the most on ESS Space Segment RP contracts are Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation ($427,956,737 across 2 registrations), The Boeing Company ($426,738,545) and Lockheed Martin Corp ($74,214,127 across 2 registrations).
How much did ESS Space Segment RP obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Contracts coded to ESS Space Segment RP obligated $125,538,141 in fiscal year 2025.
What is the latest contract award for ESS Space Segment RP?
The latest contract award coded to ESS Space Segment RP is FA880723F0009, awarded to L3 Technologies, Inc. on April 19, 2023.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
- Every contract award coded to this program
- Funding analysis by contractor, agency, place of performance and set-aside
- Alerts for new awards
- Ask GovTribe AI about this program