The Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center, Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing, has authorized Boeing US$234 million to initiate production of the sixth Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite.

This production authorization follows the award received last December for long lead parts for WGS-6. All three of the WGS Block II satellites are now in full production, and the first Block II satellite is scheduled for delivery in 2011. As part of a cooperative agreement between the United States and the Australian government, Australia is funding WGS-6. In November 2007, both countries signed a memorandum of understanding which provides the Australian Defence Force access to WGS service worldwide in exchange for funding the constellation's sixth satellite. Access to the WGS constellation will provide the Australian Defence Force the ability to conduct multiple and simultaneous military operations independently or as part of a coalition force.

WGS is a multi-service program that leverages commercial methods and technological advances in the satellite industry to design, build, launch, and support a constellation of highly capable military communication satellites. With its first launch into geosynchronous orbit, Oct. 10, 2007, WGS Space Vehicle (SV)-1 became the Department of Defense's highest capacity communications satellite. A constellation of six satellites will provide service in both the X- and Ka-band frequency spectrums. WGS will supplant X-band communications now provided by the Defense Satellite Communications System and will also provide a new two-way Ka-band service.