A digital rendering of a GPS 3 satellite. Photo: Air Force

[Via Satellite 07-31-2014] Lockheed Martin has awarded $25.4 million to General Dynamics for the construction of the U.S. Air Force Global Positioning System (GPS) 3 Network Communications Element (NCE) for the next two satellites in production: SV07 and SV08. The new contract makes General Dynamics the provider of NCE components for GPS 3 satellites SV01 through SV08.

The NCE components are responsible for communication functions such as inter-satellite channels, command and telemetry within each satellite, and ground to space command and control channel activity. General Dynamics is scheduled to deliver the NCE components for SV03 and SV04 during summer 2014.

GPS 3 satellites have three times the accuracy and eight times the anti-jam capabilities of their predecessors. The new spacecraft, in addition to life-extension enhancements, are designed to interoperate with international Global Navigation Satellites Systems (GNSS) for civilian users.