The United States Air Force is planning to retire its entire fleet of E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft by fiscal year 2028, opting instead to equip various airframes with advanced satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals. This strategic shift aims to transition the critical data relay capabilities of the E-11A to a more distributed and space-based network.
The decision was disclosed by senior leaders of the Department of the Air Force in joint written testimony presented to the House Appropriations defense subcommittee on April 30. Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, and Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman outlined the move, signaling a significant evolution in the service’s approach to battlefield communications.
Currently, the E-11A fleet comprises seven aircraft, which have been in service since 2008. Affectionately known as “Wi-Fi in the sky,” the BACN platform earned its reputation during operations in the Middle East, where its ability to extend communication links proved invaluable in challenging mountainous terrains and other areas with limited line-of-sight connectivity. Beyond basic internet connectivity, the E-11A serves a vital role as a relay and translator, enabling different aircraft and ground platforms to share data and information that might otherwise be incompatible or unable to communicate directly.
In their testimony, the Air Force and Space Force leaders stated that the E-11A’s mission would not be abandoned but rather continued through a new initiative: the “Hybrid SATCOM Terminal program.” This program is intended to provide a “near-term bridge in capability,” though a specific long-term, dedicated replacement platform for the E-11A’s airborne role was not detailed. This indicates a strategic pivot towards leveraging the existing and future satellite infrastructure as the primary means of ensuring seamless communication across the battlefield.
The Hybrid SATCOM Terminal program represents an ongoing research and development effort that began in 2018 under the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Global Lightning program. This initiative focuses on developing sophisticated communication terminals equipped with multiple antennas, capable of connecting to diverse satellite constellations. This multi-constellation capability allows users to select the optimal satellite network based on operational needs, signal strength, or environmental conditions, enhancing flexibility and resilience.
The Space Force has played a significant role in funding this development, contributing more than $300 million towards prototyping and development efforts, according to official budget documents. The program’s timeline anticipates the completion of prototypes for these Hybrid SATCOM Terminals by 2026. Following this, the effort is slated to transition to the Air Force’s Program Acquisition Executive for command, control, communications, and battle management in 2027, marking the move from research to full-scale acquisition and deployment.
Budget documents further indicate an aggressive procurement schedule for these new terminals. The Air Force plans to begin equipping various platforms in 2027, starting with strategic bombers such as the B-1, B-2, and B-52, as well as the F-15 fighter jets. In subsequent years, the rollout will extend to other critical aircraft, including F-22 fighters, KC-135 and KC-46 tankers, and additional airframes. By integrating these common SATCOM terminals, aircraft will be able to tap into the same satellite networks, significantly improving their ability to relay and share data with one another, fostering enhanced interoperability across the fleet.
The maturity of this technology has been demonstrated through successful experiments conducted by defense contractors Northrop Grumman and L3Harris as part of AFRL’s Global Lightning program. A key feature of these new terminals is their ability to connect with both government-owned and commercial satellite constellations. This dual capability is crucial for the Space Force’s ongoing development of what it terms the “Space Data Network,” a comprehensive data transport and communications network. This network aims to integrate military and industry satellites to provide a spectrum of services, ranging from secure tactical connections to high-speed, high-throughput data links. Terminals capable of accessing multiple networks are expected to streamline the complex challenge of fusing disparate systems from various agencies and private companies into a unified communication architecture.
The retirement of the E-11A BACN fleet and the pivot to satellite-based communication is not an isolated decision within the Pentagon. It aligns with a broader trend to transfer specific airborne missions to space-based assets. For instance, the Pentagon has also expressed intentions to forgo the E-7 Wedgetail program, which is designed for the moving target indication mission, proposing instead to transfer this capability to satellites. The future of that particular plan is currently under debate between the Air Force and Congress, underscoring a wider strategic reevaluation of how critical military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and communication functions will be performed in the coming decades.
Why This Matters
The U.S. Air Force’s decision to retire its E-11A BACN fleet and shift its communication relay mission to satellite-based terminals marks a significant strategic pivot with profound implications for military operations, technological development, and international security. This move underscores a broader transformation within the Department of Defense towards integrated, resilient, and globally accessible communication networks, particularly as the importance of the space domain continues to grow.
Firstly, this transition enhances **operational flexibility and resilience**. By moving from a limited fleet of dedicated airborne platforms to a distributed network of SATCOM-equipped aircraft, the Air Force aims to create a more robust and survivable communication architecture. A single E-11A aircraft, while powerful, represents a concentrated asset that could be vulnerable. In contrast, a diverse array of aircraft capable of tapping into multiple satellite constellations provides redundancy and makes the overall communication network harder to disrupt. This distributed approach is crucial for maintaining command and control in contested environments, where adversaries may attempt to jam or target communication nodes.
Secondly, the reliance on **hybrid government and commercial satellite constellations** signals a deeper integration of commercial space capabilities into military operations. This approach leverages rapid innovation in the commercial space sector, potentially accelerating technology adoption and reducing development costs compared to solely military-led programs. It also provides access to a wider range of bandwidths and coverage areas, extending military communication reach globally, including to remote and previously underserved regions.
Thirdly, this move is critical for achieving **Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2)**, the Pentagon’s ambitious vision for connecting all sensors to all shooters across all domains—air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The ability of various aircraft to seamlessly share data through a common SATCOM terminal standard is fundamental to JADC2. It enables disparate platforms, from bombers and fighters to tankers, to act as nodes in a vast network, sharing critical information and intelligence in real-time, thereby improving situational awareness and decision-making speed on the battlefield.
Finally, this strategic shift highlights the increasing **militarization and importance of the space domain**. By transferring critical missions like communication relay and potentially moving target indication to satellites, the U.S. military is solidifying space as an indispensable warfighting domain. This necessitates continued investment in space-based assets, satellite protection, and counter-space capabilities, as the security and reliability of these networks become paramount to national defense. This evolution reflects a long-term strategic adjustment to face peer competitors and ensures the U.S. maintains a technological edge in future conflicts.