[Satellite TODAY 01-11-12] The U.S. Air Force scheduled the launch of its fourth Wideband Global Satcom satellite (WGS-4) for Jan. 19. The satellite will ride aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta 4 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., ULA confirmed Jan. 10.

            WGS-4 is the first satellite that manufacturer Boeing delivered under its Air Force Block 2 contract and the second to launch on the ULA Delta 4 rocket. The WGS Block 2 contract for WGS-4 and WGS-5 was awarded to Boeing in 2006.

   Boeing WGS Government Program Manager Luke Schaub said WGS-4 would provide U.S. military warfighters with enhanced communication capabilities while extending global coverage.

   “The launch of WGS-4 is the culmination of five years of dedicated work by the combined Boeing and Government team. This satellite represents the first of a new block of WGS vehicles, enhancing the Wideband MILSATCOM capacity currently available to thousands of users around the globe and adding high-bandwidth support for a few high-priority users. We eagerly anticipate its operational availability to our warfighters this summer."

   The U.S. Milsatcom Systems Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center authorized Boeing to begin production of the sixth WGS satellite in December 2008. The Australian government is funding the WGS-6 program.