Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems (WESS) Launches WGS-8 Satellite

The Wideband Global SATCOM-8 (WGS-8) Satellite was successfully launched December 7, 2016, aboard the Delta IV launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s SLC-37B pad.

BG Patrick W. Burden, Program Executive Officer Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS); COL Charles Stein, Project Manager, Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems (DCATS); and LTC Joel Babbitt, Product Lead, WESS, were onsite to witness the launch – a massive accomplishment towards Army readiness.

WESS - Wideband Control was required to perform software and hardware updates to multiple Wideband SATCOM Operations Management System (WSOMS) sub-systems to support the new WGS-8 Wideband Digital Channelizer (WDC). This upgrade increases the bandwidth available to deployed forces and improves the Army’s readiness for the full range of today's threats. WSOMS is now capable of supporting this next generation of WGS beginning with WGS-8 as well as WGS 1 through 7 satellites currently deployed and operational.

The WGS is the backbone of the military’s global communications infrastructure, transmitting more than 11 Gbps worth of information to support boots on the ground worldwide, and communicate critical information to senior officials.

Two more WGS launches from Delta IV rockets will take place in the next two years to further support the warfighter with enhanced communications capabilities. Congratulations to the DCATS/WESS team on a successful launch!