Boeing awarded $439.6M contract to build communications satellite for Space Force

The U.S. Space Force recently selected Boeing for a $439.6 million contract to build its 12th Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) communications satellite

The wideband satellites are designed to provide high-data rate tactical communications even in contesting environments and jamming efforts. At a time when nations like Russia have been accused of trying to put nuclear elements and other weapons into orbit, these satellites, according to Boeing, could guarantee resiliency for the U.S. communications network at even the worst of times. It will do this through use of a Protected Tactical Waveform in the Ka frequency band.

WGS operates with steerable, high-capacity beams bouncing between a ground system and enhanced anti-jam communications. This satellite would be the second protected wideband satellite in service by the U.S. military.

“We are proud to be a mission partner and are ready to continue providing protected tactical communications to the warfighter,” Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing’s Space Mission Systems, said. “Like WGS-11, the 12th WGS satellite will provide critical capabilities to our military with over 1,500 individually steerable, shapeable beams in the Ka band, ensuring tactical forces have resilient communications.”

The protected tactical waveform element comes from the U.S. military, and is its jam-resistant solution to the modern environment. By pairing this with antenna nulling in the Ka band, Boeing pitched this as assured connectivity. While no site was named for development of the new satellite as yet, the WGS-11 is still under construction at Boeing’s facility in El Segundo, California.