Boeing’s (
www.boeing.com) ninth Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellite, which was launched into orbit on 18 March, will give the USA and six allied nations increased communications capabilities to prevent, protect against and respond to attacks.
The WGS-9 satellite was funded through an agreement between the USA and Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Australia. Each partner country will have access to the capabilities provided by the full WGS system, which includes flexible and secure communication transmissions in the X- and Ka-band frequencies.
Rico Attanasio, executive director of Boeing’s Department of Defence and Civil Satellite Programmes, said: “This unique international collaboration increases military inter-operability 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 in orbit today.”
WGS-9 was launched on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket. Boeing has a contract for 10 WGS satellites, the last of which is scheduled for launch in 2018.