The Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites are the key elements of a high-capacity system that provide a quantum leap in communications capabilities for the warfighter. WGS supports the Department of Defense's warfighting information exchange requirements, enabling execution of tactical command and control, communications, and computers; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR); battle management; and combat support information. WGS also augments the current Ka-band Global Broadcast Service (on UHF F/O satellites) by providing additional information broadcast capabilities.
WGS is the DoD's highest-capacity satellite communications system. Each WGS satellite can route 2.1 to 3.6 Gbps of data — providing more than 10 times the communications capacity of the predecessor DSCS III satellite. Using reconfigurable antennas and a digital channelizer, WGS also offers added flexibility to tailor coverage areas and to connect X-band and Ka-band users anywhere within the satellite field of view. The system provides tremendous operational flexibility and delivers the needed capacity, coverage, connectivity and control in support of demanding operational scenarios.
“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,” said Air Force Col. Don Robbins, WGS Group Commander. “It also recognizes the outstanding service being provided to our warfighters every day by the three on-orbit WGS Block I satellites already fielded by the Air Force and Boeing team.”
BOEING IMAGE WGS satellites are the highest-capacity communications satellites in the U.S. Defense Department’s inventory.
Under the Block II contract, Boeing is building 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.
“It is imperative that we address the warfighter’s continuing need for high-capacity communications in a timely, cost-effective manner,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. “WGS is a battle-tested solution that can evolve, using cost-effective methods, to meet emerging warfighter requirements such as communications-on-the-move for small mobile users, as well as airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data-relay capabilities.”
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. Built on the proven Boeing 702HP platform, 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 — features that enhance security and mission flexibility, and are not available on any other communications satellite.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.