Boeing announced the on-orbit delivery of WGS-6, the sixth Wideband Global Satellite Communications spacecraft, to the Air Force. The company said this delivery boosts the communications capabilities of the US military and its allies. “The first six WGS satellites are giving warfighters quick and reliable access to information, and we continue our commitment to providing the same level of quality and value on the remaining WGS satellites,” said Craig Cooning, general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. WGS-6, launched into space in August, is one of 10 WGS satellites that Boeing is building. WGS-8 and beyond will include technology that will boost the satellite’s communications bandwidth by more than 90 percent, according to Boeing’s Dec. 12 release. Australia covered the costs of procuring WGS-6 and now has access to the WGS network. Last week, Air Force space officials announced that WGS-5, launched into orbit in May, is perched in its operational location, providing coverage over the Atlantic Ocean for the European theater and full coverage of the continental United States.
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.