Digital Battlespace

Ninth WGS satellite launched into orbit

20th March 2017 - 21:00 by The Shephard News Team

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.'