Boeing vs. Lockheed for Next Gen GPS Fleet

One of Boeing's GPS satellites.

WASHINGTON DC, Feb. 26, 2007/Satnews Daily/ ― The Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin Corp. are facing off in a multibillion-dollar contract to supply the U.S. Air Force with a fleet of Next Generation Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites featuring improved navigational aids and enhanced anti-jamming capabilities.

The new GPS III fleet of 32 satellites will replace the existing fleet of 24 satellites in staggered phase ins. The first phase will consist of eight satellites to be delivered by 2013. The second phase will see another eight satellites delivered by 2016, while 16 satellites will be delivered by 2019 in the third phase.

The requirement for enhanced survivability takes into account the strides made by the USA's strategic competitors, notably China, in anti-satellite technology. China this month conducted an anti-satellite test in which a kill missile destroyed an old Chinese meteorological satellite.

GPS III, however, seeks to improve navigation by air, land and sea. GPS III will provide transformational capabilities such as anti-jamming to GPS customers and U.S. warfighters, along with better accuracy and interoperability with Europe's Galileo system for civil and commercial users

While no contract amount was announced, analysts say the job might be worth over $5 billion to the winning contractor.

The Pentagon will open bids for the first phase March and announce a single winning team by August. Lockheed and Boeing, however, have already received some $85 million from the USAF for initial planning and development for the first phase.

Boeing in November 2006 successfully completed a U.S. Air Force review of its GPS Space Segment III program and was awarded a $50 million contract for additional system design activities. Lockheed was recently awarded a $5 million contract to execute a System Design Review for the next generation GPS Block III program.

GPS Block III will enhance space-based navigation and performance and set a new world standard for positioning and timing services. The program will address the challenging military transformational and civil needs across the globe, including advanced anti-jam capabilities and improved system security, accuracy and reliability.

Recent Stories:

Boeing GPS Ground Station Test Validates Ability to Command GPS Fleet

Boeing Passes GPS III Milestone; Receives $50-M Follow-on Funding

Lockheed GPS III Team Prepares for Key Design Milestone Under U.S. Air Force-Awarded $50-M Contract 

Boeing Delta II Delivers Lockheed-built GPS Satellite to Orbit