[Satellite Today 07-14-09] Iridium Satellite and Boeing achieved two milestones in coordinated efforts to develop and demonstrate capability enhancements to a high-integrity GPS program for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, the companies announced July 13.
     For the first milestone, the companies completed an enhanced narrowband software modification to computers on Iridium satellites, enabling second-generation GPS-aiding signals to be broadcast through the entire Iridium constellation. These signals aim to provide equipped warfighters with improved capabilities for quickly locking on and maintaining a GPS signal, even while operating in restrictive environments or under enemy jamming attempts or amid battlefield radio frequency noise.
     The second milestone was a demonstration of the acquisition of a GPS signal under substantial jamming while moving in a vehicle.
     The team, which includes Rockwell Collins and Coherent Navigation, will support a system-level demonstration later this year.