An Air Force-industry team launched the first of the new advanced communication satellites, the Wideband Global SATCOM, at 8:22 pm on Oct. 10. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V boosted the WGS into orbit from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. The WGS spacecraft will replace the Defense Satellite Communication System satellites, providing a 10-fold increase in communications capacity, according to a release from WGS-maker Boeing. The new sat began sending signals about 47 minutes after launch, and Boeing controllers in California confirmed it is “healthy.” USAF must conduct on-orbit testing before declaring it operational, probably in early 2008.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.