[Satellite TODAY 01-16-12] The U.S. Air Force’s space and missile systems center has awarded Raytheon a $27.4 million to develop a launch and checkout system for the Air Force’s GPS 3 satellites, the company announced Jan. 12.

   Raytheon was chosen in February 2010 as the prime contractor to develop the GPS Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX), which is scheduled for delivery in 2015. The company said it would provide checkout and early launch for the GPS 3 satellites under its new contract. The GPS 3 spacecraft are scheduled for orbit in 2014.

   “The launch and checkout system will provide for the early identification and mitigation of any GPS enterprise risks, support ground checkout and launch operations and resolve any anomalies prior to the first GPS 3 satellite launch,” Raytheon GPS OCX Program Manager Ray Kolibaba said in a statement.