Space Force completes system testing for WGS anti-jam upgrade

The Space Force and Boeing have completed key testing for a Wideband Global Satellite Communications upgrade meant to improve the system's anti-jamming capabilities.

The Space and Missile Systems Center worked with Boeing -- which builds WGS satellites and led the Mitigation and Anti-Jam Enhancement (MAJE) effort -- as well as the Army's Space and Missile Defense Command, Army Project Manager Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems to conduct three virtual system test events during the last quarter of 2020.

The tests, which occurred over 18 days, verified MAJE's design, its WGS payload management functionality and telemetry monitoring and control capabilities and its ability to locate interfering signals, according to a Feb. 17 press release.

The Space Force expects MAJE will be available to transition for operational use by the Army in the spring of 2022. The enhancement will bring software and hardware upgrades to the Army-operated Global SATCOM Configuration Control Element ground system, which detects, identifies and mitigates unwanted radio frequency energy on the first 10 WGS satellites.

"These capabilities will further U.S. Space Command's mission to bring full-time operations dedicated to defending vital interests in space," the release states.

Once MAJE is fielded, WGS will be able to "pinpoint and mitigate threats coming from unwanted jammers," effectively doubling anti-jam capability for users.