Scheduled to launch two Norwegian unit will be equipped with the basic components of the system of the next generation of satellite communications, to be used by the US Air Force in the Arctic.
The equipment placed on board received the designation EPS-R. It is an upgraded version of the Enhanced Polar System.. Last, added to 1998 year of its predecessor, the Milstar system, serves the interests of American pilots at the present time, but is not able to cover the designated region with satellite communications on a regular basis.
a contract worth $ 428,8 million for the creation of EPS-R by Northrop Grumman was concluded with the Pentagon in February 2018 of the year. Then it was planned to place the new system on a separate satellite. However, it was decided to use Norwegian, which will operate in parallel., meeting the needs of local customers, including military. As expected, the spacecraft will be delivered by Space Norway to geostationary orbit at the end 2022 of the year.
As noted, EPS-R will keep American warplanes safe, interference-free broadband. Due to the strengthening of the constellation of spacecraft, the capabilities of the satellite "umbrella" over the Arctic will increase significantly.
Enhanced Polar System
