Support Equipment

Mobile User Objective System (MUOS)

Also known as
  • MUOS
  • Mobile User Objective System

MUOS is a U.S. narrowband military satellite communications system for mobile and fixed-site users. The Lockheed Martin-led constellation combines legacy UHF payloads with a WCDMA waveform for beyond-line-of-sight voice and data, while the Space Force is extending the network with Boeing-built MUOS SLE satellites planned no earlier than 2031 and 2032.

Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), Narrowband military satellite communications system, Support Equipment
Image source: Commons MUOS satellite render
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Narrowband military satellite communications system
Service note
2010s-present
Designer
Lockheed Martin Space Systems
Designed
2004
Unit cost
Initial contract: $2.1 billion; total potential value for five satellites: $3.26 billion
Produced
2004-2016 initial constellation
Number built
5 satellites in the initial constellation; 2 SLE satellites under contract
Developed from
Ultra High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) SATCOM system
Developed into
MUOS Service Life Extension (MUOS SLE)

Specifications

System type
Narrowband military satellite communications system
Constellation
Five satellites total: four operational plus one on-orbit spare
Orbit
Geosynchronous Earth orbit
Band
UHF
Waveform
WCDMA (3G-derived)
Payloads
Legacy UHF communications payload and MUOS WCDMA payload on each initial satellite
Capacity
About 10x the communications capacity of the legacy UHF SATCOM system
Connectivity
Voice, data, video, and mission traffic beyond line of sight
Compatibility
Interoperates with legacy UHF terminals and MUOS WCDMA radios
SLE satellites
Space Vehicles 6 and 7 planned for launch no earlier than 2031 and 2032
Architecture And Terminal Access

MUOS is useful as a catalog support-system entry because the satellites, ground segment, waveform, and user radios have to work as a single communications chain rather than as a standalone weapon.

LayerDocumented roleSource context
Space segmentFive geosynchronous satellites carry both legacy UHF and WCDMA payloads for worldwide narrowband service.Navy MUOS full operational use
Ground segmentGeneral Dynamics Mission Systems developed integrated ground segments that link users into the MUOS network.General Dynamics MUOS ground segment
User radiosMUOS service depends on terminals with the MUOS waveform; public examples include AN/PRC-155 Manpack radios and Canadian AN/PRC-117G terminals.General Dynamics PRC-155 MUOS test; MUOS Canada demonstration
Service-life extensionBoeing is contracted to build Space Vehicles 6 and 7 to extend WCDMA continuity into the mid-2030s.Space Force MUOS SLE satellites
Variants

The initial MUOS constellation uses numbered satellite designations, while the service-life extension adds Space Vehicles 6 and 7.

  • MUOS-1
  • MUOS-2
  • MUOS-3
  • MUOS-4
  • MUOS-5
  • MUOS SV-6 (planned)
  • MUOS SV-7 (planned)
Timeline

Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Key Events

  1. Lockheed Martin-led MUOS team announced

    Lockheed Martin announced a team to build MUOS for the U.S. Navy, describing it as an advanced narrowband tactical satellite communications system based on 3G-style cellular technology.

    Sources: Lockheed Martin MUOS contract announcement

  2. MUOS-1 launched

    The U.S. Space Force's 45th Space Wing supported the Atlas V launch of MUOS-1 from Cape Canaveral, beginning on-orbit deployment of the constellation.

    Sources: 45th Space Wing MUOS-1 launch

  3. Navy declared MUOS ready for full operational use

    Navy reporting on the system's testing and evaluation said MUOS had completed the key test phase and was ready for unrestricted operational use.

    Sources: Navy MUOS full operational use

  4. Canada successfully accessed MUOS

    Space Systems Command reported that Canada became the first partner nation to successfully access the MUOS narrowband global SATCOM system.

    Sources: MUOS Canada demonstration

  5. Space Force awarded MUOS SLE satellite contract

    Space Systems Command awarded Boeing a $2.0 billion contract to design and build MUOS Space Vehicles 6 and 7, with launches planned no earlier than 2031 and 2032.

    Sources: Space Force MUOS SLE satellites

Media

Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Videos

Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Images

Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), Narrowband military satellite communications system, Support Equipment - view 1
Source: Commons Wahiawa MUOS ground station
Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), Narrowband military satellite communications system, Support Equipment - view 2
Source: Commons MUOS construction photo
Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), Narrowband military satellite communications system, Support Equipment - view 3
Source: Commons MUOS-3 launch pad photo
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Sources

Lockheed Martin MUOS product pagePublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the current official product overview, manufacturer background, narrowband military satellite communications role, and general system specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-23Lockheed Martin MUOS contract announcementPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the 2004 contract announcement, Lockheed Martin Space Systems prime-contractor role, 3G-derived WCDMA concept, the planned replacement of UFO SATCOM, and the initial program cost context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23Lockheed Martin MUOS on-orbit testing releasePublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports MUOS-1 launch and early on-orbit testing context for the first satellite in the constellation. | Accessed: 2026-06-23Navy MUOS full operational usePublisher: U.S. Navy | Note: Supports the Navy's report that MUOS completed key test and evaluation and was ready for full operational use. | Accessed: 2026-06-23MUOS Canada demonstrationPublisher: U.S. Space Force | Note: Supports Canada's successful access to MUOS, the first partner-nation access milestone, use of AN/PRC-117G terminals, and the system's worldwide voice and data communications role. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Lockheed Martin MUOS service-life extensionPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the service-life extension effort that is intended to extend MUOS into the 2030s and preserve legacy UHF interoperability. | Accessed: 2026-06-23Commons MUOS satellite renderPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary satellite render used on the MUOS page. | Accessed: 2026-06-23Commons Wahiawa MUOS ground stationPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Wahiawa ground-station photo used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-23Commons MUOS construction photoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the MUOS construction photo used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-23Commons MUOS-3 launch pad photoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the MUOS-3 launch-pad photo used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-2345th Space Wing MUOS-1 launchPublisher: U.S. Space Force | Note: Supports the 2012 MUOS-1 launch milestone for the constellation timeline. | Accessed: 2026-06-23General Dynamics MUOS ground segmentPublisher: General Dynamics Mission Systems | Note: Supports General Dynamics Mission Systems' integrated ground-segment role and the description of MUOS as a satellite communications system for voice and data communications. | Accessed: 2026-06-29General Dynamics PRC-155 MUOS testPublisher: General Dynamics Mission Systems | Note: Supports AN/PRC-155 MUOS-Manpack radio connectivity to on-orbit MUOS satellites during government network testing and the radio's MUOS waveform role. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Space Force MUOS SLE satellitesPublisher: U.S. Space Force | Note: Supports the 2026 Boeing contract for MUOS Space Vehicles 6 and 7, planned launch timing, service-life extension context, and continuity of WCDMA capability. | Accessed: 2026-06-29