Raytheon to Participate in USSF Study to Develop Ground System for New Satellites; Bob Canty Quoted

Raytheon Intelligence & Space is one of five contractors that will partake in a U.S. Space Force study to build modernized ground segment systems for a new fleet of satellites that will support and eventually replace legacy systems.

The study supports USSF’s Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications or ESS mission, which aims to deliver the new jam-resistant satellites. Boeing holds a $298 million contract to build a satellite prototype for ESS.

“Before Space Force launches the new satellites, there has to be a ground system in place to control them,” said Bob Canty, vice president for constellation management and protection at Raytheon Intelligence and Space.

Ron Lewis, senior director of satellite transport and control programs under Canty’s team, said they will automate satellite activities and streamline procurement processes as part of the ground system’s study effort.

Raytheon will base the ESS ground system on its work on previous programs, such as AEHF and the Joint Polar Satellite System.