[Satellite Today 02-18-09] A team led by Northrop Grumman has completed a system design review for the GPS next-generation Operational Control Segment (OCX) program for the U.S. Air Force, Northrop Grumman announced Feb. 17.
    The system design review included testing of the total system architecture —software, hardware, processes, interfaces and operations — by Air Force program managers, operators and technical experts.
    The company said the review is the final major milestone under a $160 million phase A contract with the Air Force, laying the foundation for a phase B contract. The Air Force is expected to select one of two competing contractors for the Phase B contract, which will include development, deployment and sustainment of the system. Northrop Grumman is in competition with a team led by Raytheon Co. for the contract.
    The Northrop Grumman team includes Harris Corp., Integral Systems, Lockheed Martin and Infinity Systems Engineering.