Boeing receives full funding for satellite

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. defense contractor Boeing has received full funding to complete the production of a Block II wideband global satellite system.

Boeing received the $234 million in funding from Australian defense officials as part of a cooperative agreement between the U.S. and Australian governments. Under the deal, Boeing will complete the production of its wideband global Block II satellite, marking the sixth satellite supporting defense communications.

Officials say the Block II satellites provide airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for military operations.

Australia is funding the production of the sixth Block II satellite as part of an agreement to allow access to wideband global satellite services.

"The arrangement between the U.S. government and the Commonwealth of Australia will benefit both nations, and Boeing is very proud to be providing this vital communications service to the U.S. armed forces and our allies," Craig Cooning, Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems vice president and general manager, said in a statement.

"This sixth satellite will substantially expand the constellation's overall communications capacity and operational flexibility."