Northrop Grumman antenna. Photo: Northrup Grumman

[Via Satellite 03-14-2014] Northrop Grumman’s Astro Aerospace strategic business unit has delivered 32 self-deploying, monopole JIB antennas for the next four GPS 3 satellites. The antennas were delivered to Lockheed Martin and, once installed, they will deploy to form an RF antenna array. Sixteen more JIB antennas will be delivered in early 2014, according to Dan Johansen, Astro Aerospace program manager.

“Astro Aerospace has delivered more than 1,000 JIB assemblies altogether for GPS 2F, GPS 2R and GPS 3 spacecraft, all with a 100 percent on orbit success rate,” said Johansen. “The antennas we supply are designed to help Lockheed Martin and the Air Force meet affordability and mission assurance goals for the next generation of GPS satellites.”

The GPS 3 program will replace aging GPS satellites and are expected to improve the capability to meet the evolving demands of military, commercial and civilian users. GPS 3 satellites are designed to deliver three times better accuracy and provide up to eight times improved anti-jamming capabilities. They will also carry a new civil signal designed to be interoperable with other international global navigation satellite systems, enhancing civilian user connectivity.