Advanced Extremely High Frequency mission planning: Will its legacy dictate its future?

The development of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) program spans over ten years and it is nearly complete. The first satellite launched in August 2010; the final increment of the ground segment completed in August 2011; and the second satellite launched in May 2012. The ground segment development had successes and challenges. The team learned lessons that provide recommendations for future improvements, especially when building on an existing architecture. Designing with a well understood operational concept and with testing in mind can prevent technologically limiting legacies.