The Air Force and its industry partners are set to launch WGS-6, the sixth Wideband Global Satellite Communications spacecraft, into orbit on Wednesday, according to service space officials. A United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket is scheduled to lift off for space from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., with the Boeing-built communications satellite aboard, states the Space and Missile Systems Center’s Aug. 5 release. This satellite, which will join the first five WGS spacecraft on orbit, will provide US military forces and international partners with enhanced communication capabilities and increased coverage. This mission comes less than three months after WGS-5 reached orbit in late May. Australia joined the WGS program in November 2007, providing funding for the procurement, sustainment, and launch costs associated with WGS-6 in exchange for assured bandwidth across the WGS constellation.
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.
