Global Positioning System (GPS)
FROM IMPROVED ACCURACY TO KNOWING EXACTLY WHERE YOU STAND, THERE IS ONE IMPORTANT WORD: HOW.
 On May 15, 2008,the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. awarded a team led by Lockheed Martin a $1.46 billion contract to build the next-generation Global Positioning System Space System program, known as GPS III.
This program will improve position, navigation, and timing services for the warfighter and civil users worldwide and provide advanced anti-jam capabilities yielding superior system security, accuracy and reliability.
Under the Development and Production contract, the team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, ITT Corporation, and General Dynamics, will produce the first two GPS IIIA satellites with the first launch projected for 2014. The contract also includes options for up to 10 additional spacecraft.
 Eight GPS IIIB and 16 GPS IIIC satellites are planned for later increments, with each increment including additional capabilities based on technical maturity. When fully deployed, the GPS III constellation will feature a cross-linked command and control architecture, allowing the entire GPS constellation to be updated simultaneously from a single ground station. Additionally, a new spot beam capability for enhanced military (M-Code) coverage and increased resistance to hostile jamming will be incorporated. These enhancements will contribute to improved accuracy and assured availability for military and civilian users worldwide.
For GPS III, Lockheed Martin will build on its proven record of providing progressively advanced spacecraft for the current GPS constellation: the team designed and built 21 GPS IIR satellites for the Air Force and subsequently modernized eight of those spacecraft, designated GPS IIR-M, to enhance operations and navigation signal performance.
The Global Positioning System enables properly equipped users to determine precise time and velocity and worldwide latitude, longitude and altitude to within a few meters. Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS), based at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.
Lockheed Martin Global Positioning Satellite III Art
GPSIII Art High Resolution
Lockheed Martin Global Positioning Satellite IIRM Art
GPSIIR Art High Resolution | GPSIIR Art Low Resolution
Lockheed Martin Global Positioning Satellite IIRM
GPS IIRM - High Resolution (JPG, 7.07 MB) GPS IIRM - Low Resolution (JPG, 258.4 KB)
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Global Positioning Satellite construction in Valley Forge, PA.
GPS IIR - High Resolution (JPG, 5.07 MB) GPS IIR - Low Resolution (JPG, 348.4 KB)
Space Systems Company
12257 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Littleton, CO 80125-8500
(303) 977-3000
CONTACT
Media and Press Inquiries: (408)742-7531
Business Development: 610-354-7441
|
