Boeing Selected by U.S. Space Force to Extend MUOS Secure Military Communications, Contract Valued Up to $2B

The U.S. Space Force has selected Boeing (NYSE: BA) to advance the next phase of a program aimed at extending secure military communications worldwide, Boeing announced on June 25, 2026. The contract award for Mobile User Objective System Service Life Extension (MUOS SLE), Boeing said, is valued at up to $2 billion and includes two narrowband communications satellites.

MUOS SLE is intended to help sustain and improve a communications capability relied on by military users operating on the ground, at sea, and in the air, including in locations where maintaining reliable connections can be more difficult. In Boeing’s description, the satellites will focus on dependable voice service and essential data delivery, with the first MUOS SLE satellite scheduled for delivery in 2031.

Boeing said it has chosen to build on the program’s existing technical foundation by drawing on its experience in secure Ultra High Frequency, or UHF, communications. UHF is a radio spectrum band used for military and other long-distance communications, and Boeing said UHF indicates can help maintain connections when other communication links face stress from factors such as terrain, dense urban environments, or severe weather.

As part of the MUOS SLE effort, Boeing said its approach is designed to increase communications capacity, reduce interference, and improve connectivity for global operations. The company tied those goals to what it described as a narrowband communications requirement, which generally refers to transmitting data and voice over allocated, limited bandwidth to preserve reliability and performance for mission use.

Boeing executives framed the award as both a continuity and execution milestone. Sam Greaves, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems, said the team is grateful for the Space Force’s trust in a capability that matters to military users worldwide and emphasized the need for secure communications that can work under demanding conditions.

Boeing also linked the award to its existing satellite production work. The company said it will build MUOS SLE on Boeing’s proven 702MP medium-class spacecraft, describing the platform as a spacecraft line capable of delivering the “high-capacity, high-performance” communications mission needs. Boeing further stated it has recent production experience in that spacecraft class, delivering multiple 702MP satellites since Q4 2025.

In a second set of remarks, Ryan Reid, senior director of Space Communications Programs at Boeing, said the award builds on Boeing’s UHF heritage and said the narrowband capability is described by Boeing as a “lifeline” for users operating in the most demanding conditions. Reid also pointed to what Boeing characterized as immediate execution momentum, citing schedule predictability and reliability associated with its active 702MP spacecraft production line.

From a defense communications perspective, MUOS is part of a broader effort to ensure military forces retain resilient connectivity across environments where terrestrial networks are limited. By extending service life rather than replacing the capability outright, the program structure typically aims to manage risk and cost while keeping the communications service available through future operational needs, an approach Boeing’s release suggests it is supporting for users in the field.

Boeing did not disclose in its announcement the specific contract structure, such as whether the “up to $2 billion” figure reflects total potential value, options, or milestone-based payments, nor did it provide details on the second satellite’s delivery timing or the overall program schedule beyond the 2031 first delivery. It also did not break out subcontracting roles, ground segment changes, or performance targets in measurable terms such as throughput or interference reduction benchmarks.

Looking ahead, the key developments to watch are Space Force program milestones leading up to the first satellite delivery in 2031, along with any further public updates that clarify remaining dates, contract phases, and how the extended MUOS capability will be integrated and validated for operational use. For Boeing, the award also serves as another test of how quickly the company can translate ongoing 702MP production experience into a sustained secure communications deliverable for national security missions.