Which satellite program is the follow-on to Milstar with a four-satellite operational constellation?

• A. Navy Multi-Band Terminal
• B. Defense Satellite Communications System
• C. Global Broadcast System
• D. Advanced Extremely High Frequency

Answer: (D)

Protected, jam-resistant satellite communications get a major upgrade with the Advanced Extremely High Frequency system. This program is the direct successor to Milstar, designed to deliver global, highly secure communications with much higher data rates and modern capabilities, while maintaining survivability in contested environments. The four-satellite operational constellation refers to AEHF's initial deployed set, providing near-global coverage and crosslinking between satellites to minimize reliance on ground stations.

The other items aren’t follow-ons to Milstar: the Navy Multi-Band Terminal is a user terminal, not a satellite program; the Defense Satellite Communications System is an earlier generation of protected comms; the Global Broadcast System is a different broadcast-focused system, not the Milstar successor.