Boeing has received a $439.6 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to develop a military communications satellite, designated WGS-12. This announcement, made on March 1 by the Defense Department, marks the continuation of Boeing’s role in enhancing military communications infrastructure. The WGS-12 satellite will join the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) geostationary constellation, which plays a critical role in providing communication services to the United States and its allied nations.
Constructed at Boeing’s facility in El Segundo, California, WGS-12 is scheduled for delivery in January 2029. This satellite will be the 12th in the WGS series. The first satellite in this series was launched in 2007, signaling the start of a significant enhancement in military communications capabilities.
Boeing is currently finalizing the production of WGS-11 under a $605 million contract awarded in October 2019, with plans to deliver this satellite in 2024. Both WGS-11 and WGS-12 have been funded through congressional earmarks.
The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act included provisions that delayed the procurement of WGS-12 until the Department of the Air Force could confirm that the capabilities provided by the satellite could not be replicated by commercial satellite services. This confirmation was subsequently provided by the Department of the Air Force, which stated that WGS-12 fulfills unique needs unmet by commercial alternatives, according to the Space Systems Command.
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