The Air Force has laid out requirements for its $1.07 billion Wideband Gapfiller Satellite program, stipulating that the Boeing contract has options for a second block of satellites, reports Dow Jones Newswires. Each block will have three satellites and the second block will provide for more bandwidth access to spy planes and other aircraft. Plans call for the first WBG satellite to launch in 2007.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
