Boeing to Produce WGS-12 Communications Satellite for the U.S. Space Force
Defense News , U.S :- Boeing has been awarded a contract worth USD 439.6 million to fabricate the 12th Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) communications satellite for the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command. This satellite constellation plays a pivotal role in delivering essential high-capacity, secure, and resilient communication capabilities to both the U.S. military and its allied forces.
The WGS system's adaptive, maneuverable, and high-capacity beams ensure reliable connectivity through the Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES) ground system. Furthermore, it enhances anti-jam communications by integrating the U.S. military's jam-resistant Protected Tactical Waveform with antenna nulling in the Ka band. Boeing's cutting-edge Protected Tactical Satcom Prototype payload, renowned for its anti-jam capabilities, will be seamlessly integrated into WGS-12. This addition signifies the provision of a second Protected Wideband Satellite to the U.S. military, significantly amplifying anti-jam tactical communications capacity. This is especially crucial for U.S. warfighters and their allies, enabling operations in diverse and contested theaters.
Michelle Parker, Vice President of Space Mission Systems, expressed Boeing's commitment, stating, "We are proud to be a mission partner and are ready to continue providing protected tactical communications to the warfighter." Similar to WGS-11, the upcoming 12th WGS satellite will deliver critical capabilities to the military, featuring over 1,500 individually steerable, shapeable beams in the Ka band to ensure resilient tactical communications.
Boeing leverages advanced techniques such as additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, agile development, and more in the construction of the WGS-12 communications satellite. These innovations contribute significantly to the growth in system performance, further solidifying Boeing's position as a leader in satellite technology. As of now, Boeing is in the process of constructing WGS-11 at its El Segundo, California site.
