Three U.S. Firms Partner for GPS Program
23 Aug 2012Anyone who is even remotely familiar with modern technology, knows what GPS tracking software can do. But new developments are in the works that will expand GPS applications for commercial and military use even further — and help transition to Global Positioning System Next Generation Operational Control System– dubbed GPS OCX.
Three U.S. firms that are teaming up to work with the U.S. Air Force in a contract for GPS tracking and GPS ground hardware for a number of space vehicles. The team — consisting of Boeing, Harris Corp. and Raytheon — have formed a control segment now being known as GPS Control Segment Sustainment Contract (GCSS).
“This team brings together the best of industry in the current GPS sustainment effort and ensures a smooth transition to the next-generation system,” said Sparky Olsen, director of Boeing Missions Operations. “This team brings together the best of industry in the current GPS sustainment effort and ensures a smooth transition to the next-generation system,” Olsen further commented.
In search for ground-breaking developments for satellite navigation, the GPS OCX program has the mission to provide more precise, secure, and accurate satellite navigation, not only for military and commercial use, but humanitarian applications as well. Now that this integral team has come together, they are working towards sustainment work and development for the next generation transition.
“The Boeing, Raytheon, and Harris team is a natural fit for the GCSS effort because it leverages our current working relationship with Boeing and ensures an absolutely seamless transition from the current system to OCX,” commented Ray Kolibaba, vice president and OXC program manager at Raytheon Intelligence.
Along with the three main partners for the GPS OCX, the Ogden, Utah based U.S. Air Force Ogden Air Logistics Center (ALC) will join the GPS team. The 10-year long partnership sees a $35 million investment and support for the Air Force Space Command as the program seeks to develop, test, and field software and hardware for the GPS OCX.
So far, this and other partnerships have shown significant mission assurance and availability as they embark on better GPS navigation and timing signals for the U.S. military along with the global GPS community. Additional partners of the GPS OCX, include Infinity Systems Engineering, CRGT, RT Logic, a.i. Solutions, Expert Methods Inc, and Boecore.
With these partnerships, along with Boeing, Harris, and Raytheon, who all have come together for the GPS tracking program, it is quickly being proven that traditional GPS tracking and navigation technology can be used for larger solutions than a merely a user-based map system.
Comments are closed.