The Lockheed Martin team developing the next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) spacecraft, known as GPS III, has successfully completed on-schedule an Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) with the U.S. Air Force, an important program milestone that precedes the Preliminary Design Review.
GPS III will improve position, navigation, and timing services for the warfighter and civil users worldwide and provide advanced anti-jam capabilities yielding superior system security, accuracy and reliability.
The successful IBR consisted of a comprehensive review of the entire program and established a reliable baseline in relation to the program’s cost, schedule and technical requirements.
In completing the IBR on schedule, the Lockheed Martin GPS III team, which includes ITT, Clifton, N.J. and General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Gilbert, Ariz., is on track to complete the space vehicle Preliminary Design Review in second quarter 2009.
The team is working under a $1.4 billion Development and Production contract awarded in May 2008 by the Global Positioning Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., to produce the first two GPS IIIA satellites, with first launch projected for 2014. The contract also includes options for up to 10 additional spacecraft.