The 
seventh Wideband Global Satcom satellite that the Air Force has just ordered may be the first of six additional WGS spacecraft added to the fleet, according to prime contractor Boeing. WGS-7 is the first spacecraft procured under the WGS Block II follow-on contract, which has options for up to six satellites, the company announced Monday. If all six are procured, that would give the Air Force a total fleet of 12 WGS satellites. The Air Force announced the $182 million contract for WGS-7 on Aug. 19. It is the first installment for the satellite, covering non-recurring start-up activities and advance procurement of long-lead-time parts. WGS spacecraft are currently the Pentagon’s highest capacity military communications satellites. Already the three WGS Block I satellites are operational on obit. Boeing is building WGS-4, -5, and-6 under the Block II contract, and now WGS-7 under the follow-on deal.
If the Air Force is in line for a big budget bump from President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget in 2027, the head of Air Combat Command said he would make aircraft spare parts his top spending priority—but cautioned that more money to buy parts won’t equal a…
