The Air Force has awarded Boeing a $148 million contract to start work on the fourth Wideband Gapfiller Satellite, known as WGS F4. The company already is working on the first three WGS satellites. USAF expects the system to bridge the gap between present-day communications satellites and the next-generation communication sats. The first WGS launch now is slated for June 2007.
The Air Force expects to start modifying its first B-52H Stratofortress bomber with new engines and other upgrades later this year, following the successful review of the Commercial Engine Replacement Program’s design.