A United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket carrying the seventh Wideband Global Satellite communications spacecraft successfully launched from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., on July 23, according to a USAF release. WGS-7 is slated to enter operations in early 2016 after manufacturer Boeing completes on-orbit testing. “The WGS constellation continues to provide significant added capacity to our DOD space communications architecture,” said Lt. Gen. Sam?uel G?reaves, commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center and USAF program executive officer for space. “WGS delivers crucial wideband communication to soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and international partners around the globe.” Once cleared for operational use, the Air Force’s 3rd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., will control the satellite. (See also WGS-7 Launch Postponed Due to Weather.)
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.