What is the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) Military Satellite Network?

The Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellite network, launched in 2007, plays a critically important role in modern military communications, providing reliable global high-speed data transmission for the U.S. and several of its allies. WGS consists of ten high-performance satellites covering most of the globe and supporting various operations, from controlling unmanned aerial vehicles to transmitting vital data and real-time video. Today, it is the most powerful military communication system in the U.S. Department of Defense arsenal, offering the coverage, quality, and capacity needed for the most complex operational scenarios while fulfilling 75% of tactical broadband communication needs.

According to Robert Tarleton, Director of the Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate at Air Force Space Command, “WGS provides anytime, anywhere communications for U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, as well as their international partners, through broadcast, multicast, and point-to-point connections.”

Read on to learn what led to the creation of WGS, how it developed, and what capabilities the system offers.

A brief history and key capabilities of WGS

In 2001, the U.S. Department of Defense selected Boeing Space Systems to develop WGS as a replacement for the aging Defense Satellite Communications System III (DSCS III). At that time, DSCS III had been in operation for over 20 years, from 1980 to 2000, and no longer fully met the evolving needs of the U.S. military and government. WGS successfully enhanced the capabilities of the Department of Defense’s satellite communications services and became a key alternative to terrestrial data transmission networks.

Technical Features of WGS

Wideband Global Satcom provides broadband global communication services connecting individual users with the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN). Centralized command and control of tactical forces during both peacetime and wartime is made possible by the coordinated operation and integration of WGS’s three main segments: the space segment (satellites), the control segment (operators), and the terminal segment (users).

The space segment is a constellation of geosynchronous military communication satellites that employ cost-effective manufacturing methods to deliver high-capacity services in the Ka and X frequency bands. The control segment, managed by Delta 8 squadrons, globally allocates resources for the planning, coordination, and management of the space segment. On the ground, the terminal segment comprises thousands of tactical stationary, portable, land-mobile, air-mobile, and shipboard SATCOM terminals with antenna sizes ranging from 0.4 to 18.4 meters in diameter.

Each satellite in the WGS military communication system operates at a frequency of 4.875 GHz for signal transmission to and from Earth. This frequency supports the transfer of various types of data, including video, maps, and other critical information. The bandwidth ranges from 2.1 to 3.6 Gbps, depending on ground terminals, data transfer speeds, and configured profiles.

Currently, the WGS constellation consists of ten satellites grouped into three blocks. The first block (I) includes WGS-1, WGS-2, and WGS-3. The second block (II) comprises WGS-4, WGS-5, and WGS-6. The third block (II Follow-On) includes four satellites: WGS-7, WGS-8, WGS-9, and WGS-10. The first satellite, WGS-1, was launched on October 10, 2007, and became operational in April 2008. Currently, it serves the Pacific region. The other two Block I satellites entered service in 2009, and cover the Indian Ocean and Atlantic regions. The Block II satellites were launched in 2012 and 2013, while the Block II Follow-On satellites were deployed in 2015, 2016, and 2019. 

The tenth satellite is the latest active member of the constellation. The launch of WGS-11 was initially scheduled for November 2023 but this has been postponed to 2025. Construction has not yet finished but is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Why was WGS needed?

The WGS network emerged in response to the need for more advanced military communication systems, designed to provide enhanced bandwidth and global interoperability for the U.S. military and its allies. The growing demand for broader and more reliable data transmission became particularly pressing as the number of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launches increased, alongside the development of related technologies requiring high-bandwidth communication channels. For instance, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has experienced a 34% annual growth in bandwidth usage, with peak moments reaching up to 69%. WGS significantly outperforms its predecessor, DSCS III, with each WGS satellite boasting greater bandwidth than the entire DSCS III network combined.

Simultaneously, the complexity and scale of military operations have expanded, demanding higher levels of global coordination. WGS ensures stable communication between command centers and various units worldwide, which is critical for effective military operations and humanitarian missions. 

The military has expressed its need for newer satellite technologies, and WGS represents a prime example of such integration. The DoD recognized that phased-array antennas and digital signal processing could significantly enhance the flexibility and scalability of military communication channels. The phased-array antennas used in WGS steer beams electronically without moving the physical antenna, enabling precise targeting of specific areas and supporting the mobility of military units in dynamic combat situations.

Another previously unavailable capability supported by WGS is cross-band data transfer, which greatly enhances spectrum efficiency and ensures reliable communication in any condition. This involves switching between X-band and Ka-band frequencies. The X-band offers moderate bandwidth and is less affected by atmospheric interference, while the Ka-band provides higher bandwidth, ideal for transmitting large volumes of data. The ability to switch between these bands grants WGS versatility and communication flexibility, allowing users to operate across different terminals without reconfiguring equipment. In contrast, the older DSCS system primarily operated in the X-band and lacked the capability for cross-band integration with Ka-band.

WGS was designed not only for the needs of the U.S. military but also to support its international partners. Initially, it was intended to be used by the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) and the Australian Department of Defence, with the idea that a unified military satellite communication system would help strengthen military and political cooperation among these nations. Later, other countries joined this coalition.

Issues and Challenges

The improved capabilities offered by the Wideband Global Satcom compared to the old communication system are clear, but problems arose early on. Cost issues were at the forefront: initially, WGS was supposed to cost $1.2 billion, a figure that, by 2012, rose to $4.1 billion: a difference of 235%. Additionally, the first satellites were not able to immediately provide the projected bandwidth, despite the growth in costs. While many of these shortcomings were later corrected, the discrepancies between the estimated and actual cost of WGS were significant. 

In 2018, the Pentagon announced a search for an alternative to the WGS system, supposedly to be replaced by a hybrid network comprising military and commercial satellites. However, DOD never actually requested funding. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives allocated an additional $600 million for WGS 11 and 12, in addition to the $1.3 trillion previously approved. This indicates, among other things, that the architecture of the new satellite communication system will only be developed after addressing current shortfalls.

One major issue that will need to be resolved is compatibility: most commercial satellite services are incompatible with the terminals, antennas, and modems used by the military. Fully replacing this equipment is not feasible, so software updates are under consideration. Currently, the military uses 150 different types of terminals, not including other types of equipment. All of this, moreover, is happening against the backdrop of discussions about the obsolescence of the satellites themselves, particularly those launched in 2007 and 2009.

Another challenge for the WGS system has been its vulnerability to interference. In response, a mitigation and anti-jam improvement program was developed, which successfully passed testing in 2021. Today, the Mitigation and Anti-Jam Enhancement (MAJE) system protects the core constellation of satellites from interference. It quickly detects, identifies, and isolates unwanted signals that could disrupt stable data transmission. As a result, the capabilities of jam-resistant satellite communication have been doubled for six geographic combatant commands.

Benefits for the U.S. and its military allies

The replacement of the outdated DSCS with WGS was beneficial not only for the U.S. but also for its military allies, whose defense ministries also use broadband satellite communication capabilities. The satellites cover almost every corner of the Earth, including the territories of allied countries, which strengthens military cooperation between different regions and ensures security at the international level.

This broadband military satellite communication has been useful during military operations in Iran and Afghanistan. The U.S. Navy regularly uses it for communication between ships, submarines, and shore-based command centers, as well as on military tactical vehicles.

Australia was the first U.S. ally to join the project, signing an agreement for cooperation in November 2007. Five more countries joined the initiative in 2012: Canada, New Zealand, Denmark, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Allies benefit from WGS capabilities in exchange for financial contributions to the system’s development, receiving returns proportional to their contributions. In total, these five countries provided $620 million (with Canada contributing the most—$337.3 million) toward the construction of the ninth WGS satellite, which had a total cost exceeding $1 billion. For the Canadian armed forces, this contribution ensures stable access to secure satellite communication for 20 years, until 2032.

In November 2024, two more countries joined the coalition: Poland and Japan. This occurred amid escalating global tensions, which have extended into the space domain. Specifically, it concerns new threats posed by Russia and China, which are developing anti-satellite weapons.

This has been confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Yeung, of the Space Systems Command’s International Affairs Office: “International space programs are essential for security cooperation. Alliances are vital as the U.S. and its allies face new threats from anti-satellite technologies being developed by Russia and China.”

The reality of these threats was also acknowledged by Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder in May 2024. He noted that Russia had launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that could be used to attack other spacecraft. The situation is complicated by the fact that, although Article IV of the Outer Space Treaty prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in Earth’s orbit, anti-satellite direct-ascent weapons and many forms of cyberattacks are not covered by this prohibition. Additionally, Russia and China opposed Resolution A/RES/76/231, which the U.S. presented in 2022, banning the testing of direct-ascent anti-satellite weapons.

What is the future of WGS?

It is expected that the new WGS-11+ satellite will be launched in 2025. It will provide twice the capabilities compared to the current configuration and offer improved signal power and bandwidth efficiency compared to previous WGS satellites. 

WGS-12 will focus on interference countermeasures and operational resilience. The contract for its production was signed by the U.S. Space Force with Boeing in March 2024. WGS-12 will ensure stable communication through onboard processed, protected tactical signal forms in the Ka-band frequency range. The estimated delivery date for the satellite to orbit is January 31, 2029, although the timeline may shift due to external factors. Interestingly, just a few months ago, the launch of this satellite was in question. At that time, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee blocked funding for its construction until they received confirmation from the U.S. Air Force that there were no viable commercial alternatives. 

Meanwhile, NATO continues to develop technologies for ensuring stable and high-performance military communication for the U.S. and its allies. Currently, there is an increased focus on the Northlink and Starlift space programs. The former aims to create satellite communication systems for Arctic operations, which will help counter Russian military presence in the region more effectively. Starlift, on the other hand, is designed to enable NATO members to quickly launch satellites and receive assistance from allies during crises. Deanna Ryals, Director of the International Affairs Office at the Space Systems Command, emphasized that “more and more countries are beginning to view space in the context of national security, which is strengthening unity among Alliance countries and increasing their awareness of space-related threats.”