Air Force Awards Boeing $172.3 Million for Two GPS Satellite Contract Options

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 26/Satnews Daily/ ¾ The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing [BA: NYSE:] two GPS IIF contract options valued at $172.3 million.

Boeing said the first award is a $143.9 million contract modification to the existing Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) Block IIF contract that exercises the option to begin production of three satellites, Space Vehicles (SV) 07 through 09. These satellites will be completed by June 2008.

A second contract for $28.4 million exercises an option for long-lead hardware for the production of an additional three GPS IIF satellites, SV-10 through 12. The first three GPS IIF spacecraft currently are in various stages of assembly, integration and test at Boeing Satellite Systems in El Segundo, Calif.

"These award options indicate exceptional customer confidence in our work on the GPS program, "said John Fuller, vice president for Boeing Air Force Space Systems. "Last December one of our GPS II satellites completed its15th year on orbit, which is well beyond its 7.5 year design life. This is the type of program execution and performance the customer wants and that we plan to deliver."

The GPS IIF satellites are designed for flexibility and growth, have improved anti-

jam capability and secure operational military codes. Boeing said the IIF satellites built under this contract option will enable the Air Force to sustain the overall GPS constellation at peak performance to support global military needs. The first GPS IIF launch is scheduled for 2007.

The Space and Missile Systems Center manages the GPS program through a joint program office at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. 

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