Insider Brief:
- Boeing has secured a $439 million contract from the U.S. Space Force.
- The contract is to construct and launch WGS-12, the next satellite for the U.S. Space Force’s Wideband Global Satellite Communications fleet.
- The satellite is scheduled to be completed by January 2029.
- Image credit: U.S Space Force, Boeing
The U.S. Space Force has awarded Boeing’s space division a $439 million contract to construct and launch the next addition to its Wideband Global Satellite Communications (WGS) fleet, as announced by the Department of Defense. Scheduled for completion by January 31, 2029, the WGS-12 satellite aims to bolster the flexibility and security of high-bandwidth military communications.
The WGS constellation, initiated with the launch of the first satellite in 2007, has become indispensable to the U.S. military and its allies, facilitating crucial functions including full-motion video transmission, drone sensor data dissemination, and video teleconferencing. The constellation contributes to the Department of Defense’s prioritized enhancements to combat jamming attempts.
The upcoming WGS-12 satellite will integrate the Protected Tactical SATCOM Prototype (PTS-P), boasting advanced anti-jamming capabilities. Leveraging automated techniques including jammer geolocation, real-time adaptive nulling, and frequency hopping, PTS-P ensures resilient connectivity even in contested environments.
Boeing’s innovative approach to satellite design merges commercial and military technologies, epitomized by the integration of the 702X commercial bus with the PTS system. This synergy promises heightened mission flexibility and responsiveness, aligning with the evolving needs of modern warfare.
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