The U.S. Air Force has
awarded Boeing a $142.5 million fixed-price-incentive-fee contract
for three additional Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. This action
authorizes modernization and production of GPS-IIF satellites numbers four
through six, and the production of long-lead parts for IIF satellites seven
through nine.
“The fully modernized IIF will ensure the implementation of the latest
technology into the GPS constellation,” said John Fuller, executive director,
Air Force Space Systems, for Boeing. “This is an essential part of supporting
the warfighter and providing increased civilian capability for decades to
come.” Boeing is currently building the first three GPS IIF satellites with
options for up to twelve.
With the first satellite scheduled for a mid-2006 launch, the GPS-IIF
series is designed for flexibility and growth, enabling new capabilities,
including improved anti-jam, increased accuracy, higher integrity and critical
secure operational military codes.
“In addition to building the GPS IIF satellites, Boeing is responsible for
the development of the new GPS operational control segment (OCS), which
continuously maintains the constellation of satellites,” said Mike Rizzo,
director of Navigation Systems, Air Force Space Systems, for Boeing. “The OCS
currently supports the GPS IIA and IIR series of satellites, and will also
sustain the upcoming IIF series.”
The GPS program is managed by a joint program office at the U.S. Air
Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.,
and by Boeing Air Force Systems, Long Beach, Calif., a business unit of Boeing
Integrated Defense Systems.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one the
world’s largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis,
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $25 billion business. It provides
systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers.
It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the
world’s largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world’s largest satellite
manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary
systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA’s largest contractor; and a
global leader in launch services.