Boeing Space
and Communications has received approval from the U.S. Air Force to
move forward with space vehicle production for the Global Positioning
Satellite (GPS) IIF Modernization program.

“The Boeing GPS IIF is the next step in enhancing the capabilities
to support the national infrastructure for Homeland Security and
National Defense, and it will improve the system’s capabilities for
all GPS users,” said Mike Rizzo, director of navigation systems for
Boeing Space and Communications, a business unit of The Boeing Co.

The added capabilities include a new signal for civilian users and
critical, secure Operational M-codes for the warfighter. The new
civilian signal, in the protected Aeronautical Radio Navigation System
frequency band, provides redundant safety of life services for civil
aviation users and increased accuracy for a host of other users
worldwide.

In addition, GPS IIF is compatible with the U.S. Air Force’s
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) and will provide 20% more
on-orbit life than previous GPS spacecraft. The Air Force chose the
Boeing Delta IV to launch 21 of its 28 EELV payloads in October 1998.

Designed for flexibility and growth, the GPS IIF system
architecture can affordably accommodate hardware and software changes
through incremental technology upgrades to improve efficiency and
introduce new military capabilities including anti-jam, greater
accuracy, better availability and higher integrity.

This incremental upgrade approach to the GPS IIF program will, in
turn, reduce the technical risks inherent in developing GPS III, the
next generation satellite system, as well as answer the near term
needs of the warfighter today.

The Boeing-led Control Segment team that includes Lockheed Martin
and Computer Science Corp. will also play a key role in this
procurement with the modernization of the entire GPS ground system
architecture design to reduce operator workload and operational costs.

Boeing S&C, with headquarters in Seal Beach, is the world’s
largest space and communications company. A unit of The Boeing Co.,
S&C provides integrated solutions in launch services, human space
flight and exploration, missile defense, and information and
communications.

It is NASA’s largest contractor; a leading provider of space-based
communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile
defense; and a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance. The global enterprise has customers worldwide and
manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Australia.