Military ties benefit from sixth satellite Lift off: A US Air Force Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-6) mission launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. A $900 million satellite paid for by Canberra was launched into orbit from the US on Wednesday night, cementing Australia's place in a powerful new military communications network. The global system of six high-bandwidth satellites has dramatically boosted the Australian Defence Force's ability to fight wars and spy on enemies by allowing real-time military data to be beamed around the world. These satellites provide ... improved warfare capabilities. The launch of the sixth and final satellite from Cape Canaveral in Florida completes the network, which can be used to relay heavy communications traffic such as images from surveillance drones. It could link military headquarters with ships, aircraft, tanks and individual soldiers in what is known as "network-centric warfare." In exchange for guaranteed bandwidth across the network, Australia agreed in 2007 to pay for building and launching the final satellite at a cost of $927 million. That satellite was launched on Wednesday night from an unmanned Delta 4 rocket, though the ADF has been benefitting incrementally from each previous satellite as it went into orbit. The network is considered extremely powerful, allowing data to be beamed around the world at more than 3 gigabytes a second. "These satellites provide Australia with improved warfare capabilities through access to world-leading communications in terms of coverage, operational flexibility and bandwidth," Warren King, the head of Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation, said in a statement. The development of advanced communications and networking capabilities are necessary for the ADF to meet future challenges. The satellite, built by Boeing, is also understood to be able to convert communications across different bands on the electromagnetic spectrum, making it easier for Australian and US forces to talk to one another. Mr King said it would "enhance the interoperability between Australian and US defence forces." The actual hardware will remain the property of the US government.