Boeing receives Wideband Global SATCOM orders
Boeing on Sept. 1 received a $1.09 billion contract modification from the US Air Force adding funding to the existing Block II follow-on contract for full production, launch and on-orbit activation of the seventh Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite and procurement of long-lead materials for an eighth satellite. The authorization also includes options for the full production, launch and on-orbit activation of satellites eight and nine. The additional orders are part of the WGS Block II follow-on contract awarded in August 2010.
"With three satellites in operation today, WGS is already making a huge difference for the warfighter," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. "Satellites seven and eight will address the growing demand for high-data-rate services worldwide."
The contract includes production, launch site activities, and initial orbital operations and checkout for each satellite. Boeing also is working with the Air Force on potential upgrades that would further increase the satellites' capacity and operational flexibility.
WGS is the Department of Defense's highest-capacity communications satellite system. The three satellites currently on orbit are providing more than 30 times the communications capacity of the prior Defense Satellite Communications System constellation.
"WGS is providing tremendous value for the Department of Defense," said Cooning. "Boeing has worked closely with the Air Force to implement commercial practices to drive down costs so that this critical capability can continue to be procured and fielded despite budget challenges."
WGS satellites are built on the proven Boeing 702HP platform, which uses a highly efficient xenon-ion propulsion capability. The communications payload has flexibility features that are important to the military, such as the ability to interconnect terminals that operate in different frequency bands and to reposition coverage beams based on evolving mission needs. WGS supports missions ranging from tactical communications to and between ground forces, to relaying data and imagery from airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms.
Source: Boeing
More from Digital Battlespace
-
Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg
Norway's Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced that its subsidiary Kongsberg NanoAvionics will produce three satellites and launch them in 2025.
-
First South Korean 425 Project observation satellite launched
In 2015, South Korea named a consortium of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems, along with Thales Alenia Space providing the SAR payload derived from its HE-R1000 product, as preferred bidder to develop new Korea 425 Project reconnaissance satellites.
-
German military introduces central command and new cyber branch
The German defence minister claimed the reforms would mean the 2025 military budget would require an additional €6.5 billion (US$7 billion).
-
Hanwha Phasor’s first military antenna to hit market this year
UK-based company will launch the Phasor L3300B land antenna for mobile communications following a US$113.7 million investment from parent firm Hanwha.
-
Thales strengthens focus on digital trust environments for military operations
At the Future Soldier Technology Conference, Thales Land Communications highlighted the necessity of establishing a digital trust environment to enhance armed forces’ decision-making and operational resilience.