WASHINGTON — Boeing used to be awarded a $439.6 million contract by way of the U.S. House Power to construct an army communications satellite tv for pc referred to as WGS-12.
The contract used to be introduced March 1 by way of the Protection Division.
WGS-12 would be the twelfth satellite tv for pc of the Wideband World Satcom geostationary constellation that gives communications products and services to the USA and allies.
Boeing builds army satellites in El Segundo, California. In step with the contract announcement, WGS-12 could be delivered in January 2029.
WGS-11 nonetheless in manufacturing
Boeing has been the WGS high contractor since 2001. The primary satellite tv for pc used to be introduced in 2007. The corporate remains to be finishing manufacturing of WGS-11 beneath a $605 million contract awarded in October 2019. Boeing mentioned it plans to ship the satellite tv for pc in 2024.
Each WGS-11 and WGS-12 had been funded by way of congressional earmarks. The House Power didn’t request investment for a wideband satellite tv for pc within the 2023 price range however Congress however added $442 million, an motion paying homage to the 2018 protection appropriations invoice when Congress inserted $600 million for WGS-11.
Congress within the 2024 Nationwide Protection Authorization Act mentioned it might block the procurement of WGS-12 till the Division of the Air Power showed that the similar provider may just now not be carried out by way of industrial satellites.
That affirmation got here in a letter from the Division of the Air Power, announcing that WGS-12 meets explicit wishes that can’t be met by way of industrial choices, the House Techniques Command mentioned.
Similar
Sandra Erwin writes about army house techniques, coverage, era and the business that helps this sector. She has lined the army, the Pentagon, Congress and the protection business for almost 20 years as editor of NDIA’s Nationwide Protection…
Extra by way of Sandra Erwin
