GPS 3 processing facility. Photo: Lockheed Martin

[Via Satellite 03-24-2014] Lockheed Martin has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems a $26 million contract to support the U.S. Air Force Global Positioning System (GPS) 3 Network Communications Element (NCE). These next-generation GPS 3 satellites are expected to improve position, navigation and timing services and also provide advanced anti-jam capabilities with improved system security, accuracy and reliability.

Lockheed Martin already has General Dynamics under contract to produce the NCE for the first four GPS 3 space vehicles, SV01-04, along with the procurement of long lead material for the second set of space vehicles, SV05-08. These NCE components provide the communications functions for the GPS 3 satellites, including the ground-to-space command and control channel, the space-to-space inter-satellite channel and the command and telemetry communications channels within each satellite. The components for SV01 and SV02 have been delivered, and those for SV03 and SV04 are scheduled for delivery by June 2014.

The GPS 3 program will replace the aging constellation of the Air Force GPS satellites currently in orbit. These satellites will deliver three times better accuracy, with more powerful anti-jamming capabilities and an extended spacecraft life. The series will also carry a new civil signal designed to be interoperable with other international global navigation satellite systems, enhancing civilian user connectivity.