Lockheed Martin Awarded $120 Million for New GPS Satellites
14 May 2013$120 million has been awarded to Lockheed Martin Space Systems for new GPS satellite systems.
The US Air Force wants four new global positioning system (GPS) satellites built and are willing to pay for it. They have awarded $120 million to Lockheed Martin for four new satellites as part of the GPS III program (also known as the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth next generation Global Positioning System satellites.) Lockheed Martin will design, construction, assemble and test the new GPS satellites at their facility in Jefferson County, Colorado.
“As our world becomes increasingly dependent on GPS technology, the new GPS III satellites will be a critical element of both our national and economic security, and we are committed to achieving mission success for the billions of military, commercial and civilian users worldwide,”
said Keoki Jackson, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Navigation Systems mission area.
Lockheed Martin is a security and aerospace organization located in Bethesda, Maryland. It has approximately 120,000 employees globally. Lockheed Martin works on the research, design, manufacture, development, integrating and testing of many different types of advanced technology systems and services
The award is in conjunction with two contracts for replacing the current GPS satellites used by the US Air Force, in order to get new and improved technology. The goal is to get more accurate location and GPS tracking software in the GPS satellites with more advanced services. Lockheed Martin has already begun developing and producing the four new satellites.
These satellites will also have a brand new signal design to enhance the experience for many users. whether that’s for GPS navigation or GPS tracking. It is expected to improve the communication of International GPS satellites as well, so that the expansive location is available and more signals can be pulled to and from the satellites.
A speaker from Lockheed Martin told the press that the new satellites will improve the capability of new demands in the military, as well as for civilian and commercial users of GPS technology and GPS tracking. The anti-jamming technology is also essential as it helps to prevent blocking of GPS tracking satellite signals which is an ongoing problem.
“GPS III satellites will deliver better accuracy and improved anti-jamming power while enhancing the spacecraft’s design life and adding a new civil signal designed to be interoperable with international global navigation satellite systems,” a representative from Lockheed told reporters.
The four satellites being produced by Lockheed Martin are just the beginning; the US Air Force plans to have up to 32 GPS satellites as part of the GPS III satellite program. The GPS satellite constellation is managed and operated by the Schriever Air Force Base located in El Paso County, Texas.
If you’re interested in learning more about these current GPS developments, and view high-resolution images and videos of the newest GPS III satellite systems currently in production and entering the testing phase, visit the GPS section of Lockheed Martin’s website.
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