Ninth WGS satellite launched into orbit
Boeing's ninth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite has launched into orbit and will provide the US and six allied nations with increased communications capabilities to prevent, protect against and respond to attacks, the company announced on 18 March.
In addition to serving the US, WGS-9 will cover Australia, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands and New Zealand.
The system will provide each of these countries with access to capabilities, which include flexible and secure communication transmissions in the X- and Ka-band frequencies.
WGS-9 launched on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket in December 2016. Boeing is on contract for ten WGS satellites, the last of which is tentatively scheduled for launch in 2018.
Rico Attanasio, executive director, Boeing Department of Defense/Civil Satellite Programs, said: 'This unique international collaboration increases military interoperability and expands affordable high-data-rate communications for US and allied partners around the globe. WGS-9 is among the most capable military communication satellites on orbit today.'
More from Digital Battlespace
-
EU Commission invites tenders for new satellite constellation with military applications
The European Commission has launched an invitation tender for a contract to implement the EU satellite constellation dubbed IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite).
-
New US developer LightRidge to take on air and space sensor markets
The private-equity backed firm combines the businesses of space payloads specialist GEOST and airborne sensor manufacturer Ophir.
-
Northrop Grumman details bid for US Navy TACAMO aircraft replacement
The company believes its role as prime contractor on the E-2 Hawkeye puts it in a strong position for the programme to replace the USN's Boeing E-6 Mercury fleet.
-
Northrop Grumman hones US Space Force satellite design in virtual environment
The company has applied its Highly Immersive Virtual Environment technology to the design process of polar overwatch satellites ordered by the US Space Force.
-
Northrop Grumman joins USAF effort to build digital network backbone
The company will join Phase 1 of the Common Tactical Edge Network effort to enable Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2).