WGS ( Wideband Gapfiller Satellites ) is the key element of a high-capacity satellite communications system designed to quickly disseminate large amounts of data to the warfighter. With a growing need for bandwidth, including two-way, point-to-point, multicast and broadcast communications, WGS will provide additional network-centric communications capabilities for troops in the field. Boeing was awarded the WGS contract in January 2001, and has been authorized for production of the first three satellites, 702 models, plus the associated ground-based command and control elements.