[SatNews] Now entering service for the U.S.A.F. is a most critical satellite built by Boeing.

Boeing's third Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) military communications satellite has entered service for the U.S. Air Force and is now part of a constellation that is delivering significantly improved broadband communications to U.S. military forces and their allies in every theater of operation around the world. WGS is the U.S. Department of Defense's highest-capacity satellite communications system, providing unmatched high-data-rate communications links to support delivery of everything from full-motion video (FMV) captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to email, television, and other quality-of-life services for U.S. warfighters overseas. The first two WGS satellites are operating over the Pacific Ocean and Middle East, respectively. WGS-3 is located over the Atlantic Ocean.

WGS-3 is the final satellite in the Block I series. Under its current Block II contract with the Air Force, Boeing is building three more WGS satellites that are scheduled for launch in 2012 and 2013. Boeing also is working with the Air Force to establish a follow-on series with up to six more WGS satellites. WGS satellites deliver fast, flexible broadband communications services to remote areas. They can interconnect X-band and Ka- band users, deliver service to new users within days, and be repositioned on orbit if necessary to meet changing mission requirements.