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CAPE CANAVERAL, Nov. 30, 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA]
announced today that the third Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS)
satellite it has built for the U.S. Air Force has completed
prelaunch testing. The satellite is ready for its scheduled Dec. 2
launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
WGS is the U.S. Department of Defense's highest-capacity
communications satellite system. The launch of WGS-3 will mark the
completion of the initial constellation of three satellites that
provide high-data-rate communications for U.S. forces and allies
around the world.
"This launch represents another huge leap in communications
capabilities for U.S. warfighters and allies around the world,"
said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager, Boeing
Space and Intelligence Systems. "These satellites support a broad
range of communications, from full-motion video beamed down from
unmanned aerial vehicles, to distribution of maps and imagery to
ground troops, to quality-of-life services such as news broadcasts
and e-mail delivery to deployed troops. For all branches of our
military, WGS saves lives and makes lives better every day."
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WGS-3 will be placed into geosynchronous Earth orbit over the
Atlantic Ocean. The satellite joins WGS-1, which entered service
over the Pacific Ocean in April 2008, and WGS-2, which began
operations over the Middle East in August 2009. Both operational
satellites meet and, in some cases, exceed mission
requirements.
WGS satellites are built on the proven Boeing 702 platform with
13 kilowatts of power. The payload features reconfigurable coverage
areas and the ability to connect X-band and Ka-band users anywhere
within their field of view via an onboard digital channelizer --
features not available on any other military communications
satellite.
Boeing is building three more WGS satellites for the Air Force
with enhancements that include a radio frequency bypass to support
airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms
requiring additional bandwidth. Satellites four through six are
planned for launch in 2011 and 2013.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated
Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense
businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven
customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile
manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis,
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with
70,000 employees worldwide.
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Contact:
Bob Pickard
Space & Intelligence Systems
310-364-6125
robert.pickard3@boeing.com
Marc Selinger
Space & Intelligence Systems
703-872-4240
marc.selinger@boeing.com