Total potential value of the contract is $1.3 billion. The program will be managed by Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. (BSS), in El Segundo, a part of Boeing Space and Communications Group, which has headquarters in Seal Beach, Calif.

The WGS program will augment Department of Defense (DoD) communications services currently provided by the Defense Satellite Communications System, which provides Super High Frequency (SHF) wideband communications, and by the Global Broadcast Service, which uses direct broadcast satellite technology to provide critical information to U.S. and allied forces.

With an initial launch in early 2004, WGS will serve as a bridge to the Advanced Wideband Satellite system, a high-capacity tactical communications system currently planned for 2008.

"We're proud of this contract award and equally proud to be part of a team of satellite communications industry leaders whose commercial and government experience spans all the key needs of the WGS system," said Tig H. Krekel, president of Boeing Satellite Systems. "Based on the capabilities of this team, we are able to offer the DoD a tremendously flexible solution that leverages vast expertise in commercial and military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) technology."

A joint-service program funded by the Air Force and Army, WGS is a firm, fixed-price award with an initial value of $160.3 million and a potential total value of $1.3 billion that includes options for as many as six Boeing 702 satellites and their associated spacecraft and payload control equipment. The procuring agency is the Air Force Materiel Command's Space and Missile Systems Center. Operational and logistics support and training are also included in the program.

The Boeing 702 is the largest and most powerful commercial satellite in the world. It uses state-of-the-art technologies in propulsion, power generation and thermal control. BSS has launched three Boeing 702 satellites in the last 12 months and has eight other commercial 702s on order.

As the prime contractor and overall systems integrator, Boeing leads a team of companies with outstanding MILSATCOM experience. Harris Corp. is the foremost provider of wideband satellite communications ground terminals and experts in terminal and payload interfaces. ITT Industries is the preeminent supplier of wideband satellite communications network management and control systems. Logicon is a leader in satellite communications network management software development and operations. SAIC excels in satellite communications systems engineering and communications architectures.

BSS is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites and a major provider of space systems, satellites, and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications. BSS was formed in October 2000 with the acquisition of Hughes Space and Communications Co. and other Hughes entities by Boeing.

"The WGS award reaffirms the leadership role this team has in the area of space-based communications," said Jim Albaugh, president of Boeing Space and Communications Group, adding that the contract is "an example of our long-term strategy to assist the government in providing seamless communications to our servicemen and servicewomen."

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