The US Air Force’s (USAF) 4th Space Operations Squadron (4 SOPS) has taken over the operational control of the ninth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite (WGS-9), the USAF Space Command announced on 19 July.
As the backbone of the US military's global satellite communications, the WGS network provides flexible, high-capacity communications for US marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen, government agencies and international partners.
There are eight other WGS satellites currently orbiting in the constellation managed by 4 SOPS.Lt. Col. Armon Lansing, 4 SOPS commander, said: ‘Wideband communication provides the capability to send a large amount of data through space.
'Just like your typical ground systems: dial-up versus broadband versus fibre optic, as you step up your capability, you can get more data through the system. One WGS satellite has as much data throughput as the former defence support communication satellite system had in the entire constellation.’
The Boeing-built WGS-9 was launched into orbit in March. The spacecraft underwent rigorous orbit and payload testing before being handed over to the air force.
This marks the first time the newly merged 4 SOPS squadron has assumed control of a WGS satellite; previous assumptions of control happened under the recently deactivated 3rd Space Operations Squadron.
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.
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.
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
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.
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 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.
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