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.'
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family]()
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
-
![BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme]()
BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme
DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.
-
![Just Released: Space Technology Report]()
Just Released: Space Technology Report
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
-
![Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality]()
Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality
Defence-secure mixed reality headsets can save hours, or even weeks, of travel time to fix defunct equipment or get subject experts effectively “on-site” where they are needed.
-
![Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems]()
Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems
The Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) and Drone Restricted Access Using Known Electromagnetic Warfare (DRAKE) counter-UAS (CUAS) systems are mounted and dismounted RF jammers.
-
![Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support]()
Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support
Adarga’s Vantage information analysis tool is in service with the UK MoD and individual UK forces. It builds on the company’s Knowledge Platform which processes, organises and analyses open source material, as well as information held by the user’s military, security and intelligence services.
