[Satellite Today – 4-16-08] Raytheon Co. has won a $61 million contract to complete the development and certification of next-generation global positioning receivers for the U.S. Air Force, Raytheon announced April 16.
    Under the Modernized User Equipment program, the circuit card technology will connect military users with new GPS navigation signals compatible with enhanced NAVSTAR GPS satellites. The receivers, which will employ the new M-code military signal, also will work with legacy signal systems.
    "The award of this second phase of the systems design and development contract allows us to complete the custom building-blocks being developed for the next-generation M-code GPS receivers," said Michael Crisp, director of Raytheon GPS and navigation systems in a statement. "This technology development will strengthen and preserve the secure GPS navigation capability in the equipment used by the U.S. and its allies in all missions."