Lockheed Martin Space Systems is under contract to produce the first two of a planned eight GPS 3A satellites. The first launch is projected for 2014. The contract includes a Capability Insertion Program (CIP) designed to mature technologies and perform systems engineering for future GPS 3 increments.

   The preliminary design review also established requirements for the capability insertion planned for the follow-on GPS 3B satellites and validated the satellite design will meet future GPS demands, Lockheed said.

   “This milestone comes at a pivotal time when the need to affordably and predictably enhance the GPS constellation’s capabilities is at an all time high. Thanks to hard work from the entire government and industry GPS 3 team, we have a solid, low-risk path to introduce critical new capabilities to billions of military, civil and commercial GPS users,” U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Don Frew said in a statement.