EL SEGUNDO, Calif., 24 Aug. 2010.Military SATCOM experts at the Boeing Co. Defense, Space & Security segment in El Segundo, Calif., are starting work to build the seventh Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite under terms of a $182 million contract from the U.S. Air Force. The contract has options for Boeing to build as many as six WGS spacecraft, which represent the highest-capacity military satellite communications capability in the U.S. Department of Defense’s arsenal, Boeing officials say.
“In a time of budgetary pressures, the award of this contract signifies the high-priority need of U.S. warfighters around the world for responsive and robust wideband communications,” says Air Force Col. Don Robbins, the WGS group commander. Three WGS satellite communications spacecraft are orbiting today over the Middle East, Pacific and Atlantic regions.
The Block II contract calls for Boeing to build three more WGS satellites that are scheduled to launch in 2012 and 2013. This first award under the Block II follow-on contract covers non-recurring start-up activities and advance procurement of long-lead parts. The order for WGS-7 comes nearly three years after the Department of Defense’s December 2007 order for WGS-6.
WGS satellites deliver fast, flexible broadband communications services to remote areas. They can deliver service to new users within hours and be repositioned on orbit if necessary to meet changing mission requirements. WGS communications payloads provide reconfigurable coverage areas and the ability to connect X-band and Ka-band users anywhere within the satellite’s field of view through an onboard digital channelizer that enhance security and flexibility.
For more information contact Boeing Defense, Space & Security online at www.boeing.com/bds.
