A representative image of DSCS III, an example of a Defense Satellite Communications System that falls within the WSOMS, the support of which will transfer from CECOM SEC to the U.S. Space Force once the transition plan is signed. It provides secure communication services to the DoW and its allies. (Image by FoxPictures, Shutterstock)
CECOM SEC TRANSITIONS SUSTAINMENT OF WIDEBAND SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO THE U.S. SPACE FORCE
by Gay Pinder
The United States Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Software Engineering Center (SEC) will transfer the life cycle sustainment responsibilities of the Wideband Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Operational Management System (WSOMS) to the United States Space Force (USSF) in fiscal year 2026. The transition follows a 2020 directive from then Deputy Secretary of Defense, David Norquist aimed at consolidating all satellite planning, payload control, training, modernization and software sustainment functions under the USSF.
CECOM SEC’s ROLE IN SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
CECOM SEC has been a key player in satellite communications since 1983, providing software support to the Satellite Communications domain. For two decades, CECOM SEC has ensured operational and cyber readiness through Post Production Software Support (PPSS) to the WSOMS portfolio. The WSOMS portfolio includes the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) and Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) constellations of satellites that provide secure communication services to the Department of War (DoW) and its allies.
While the USSF officially assumed control of the WGS and other satellite operations from the Army in 2021 and 2022, it is now, in fiscal 2026, that CECOM SEC will relinquish full life cycle sustainment responsibilities for the WSOMS program.
The transition involves close coordination with several key stakeholders, including the Portfolio Acquisition Executive C2, Program Manager Integrated Enterprise Network, Product Manager Wideband Enterprise Satellite System (PdM WESS), and the USSF Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command. These organizations have been working together to plan and execute the transition for over a year.
Transferring the ownership, operation and maintenance of WSOMS involves several duties for CECOM SEC, including documenting all SEC functions with milestones and time-phased activities, assisting in migrating all Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service records for Authority to Operate purposes, creating a Statement of Work for SEC to support two of the legacy SATCOM systems on a reimbursable basis post-transition and working the transfer of ownership of all licenses to USSF so they may begin funding and managing renewals starting in fiscal year 2026.
POST TRANSITION BENEFITS
Post transition, CECOM SEC will continue to provide software support to the satellite communications domain, focusing on its ongoing partnership with PdM WESS on earth terminals and baseband satellites. This collaboration ensures that the expertise and experience of CECOM SEC in satellite communications will continue to benefit the DoW and its allies. These ongoing efforts will modernize and sustain various terminal and baseband systems ensuring they remain operationally effective and secure. The satellite earth terminal and baseband systems are used to manage and collect remote sensing satellite data and transmit it to various users and applications. These terminals are essential for the transmission of data between the orbiting satellites and the Army’s internet backbone on the ground, acting as intermediaries between the two.
One such program CECOM SEC will continue providing software services for is the 52 Modernization (52-MOD). The 52-MOD program upgrades and increases the service life of several earth terminals, many of which have been in service for decades. The modernization efforts focus on hardware and software.
Another example of SEC’s continued wideband expertise and support is the Modernization of Enterprise Terminals (MET). The MET program replaces up to 80 aging strategic satellite communications terminals worldwide. In 2010, CECOM SEC released the first sustainment MET mission software to 45 sites worldwide. Transitioned to sustainment in 2021, the first release demonstrated the MET team’s technical capability to resolve software defects to meet PPSS of the software-intensive system. The MET is the next generation Earth Terminal providing for communications over the DoW and commercial satellite systems. It provides reach back into the DoW Information Network supporting global operations for military and civilian services. MET provides the Soldier with the critical ability to receive data directly from databases and subject matter experts located in the U.S.
CONCLUSION
The transition of the WSOMS portfolio to the USSF marks a significant milestone in the evolution of satellite communications management for DoW. With decades of experience and a proven track record in supporting critical SATCOM systems, CECOM SEC remains committed to advancing the capabilities and readiness of DOW’s satellite communications infrastructure.
GAY PINDER provides contract support to CECOM SEC as a strategic communications specialist at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. She holds an M.A. and a B.S. in communications, both from Towson University. She has worked in broadcast news and nonfiction television.
