Boeing Integrated
Defense Systems has received approval from the U.S. Air Force to begin
space vehicle production of the first three satellites for the Global
Positioning Satellite (GPS) IIF program, all of which will be built by
Boeing Satellite Systems in El Segundo, Calif.
“The Boeing GPS IIF will ensure the nation has the capabilities to
support the infrastructure for Homeland Security and National Defense,
as well as improve the system’s capabilities for all GPS users,” said
Mike Rizzo, director of navigation systems for Air Force Systems, part
of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, a business unit of The Boeing
Co. . “The GPS satellites are also elements of the integrated
battlespace, a network-based information system that takes data from
many sources and ties it together to provide real-time information for
those tasked with protecting the peace and defending the nation.”
The GPS IIF satellites will provide new capabilities, including
new signals for civilian users and critical, secure Operational
Military codes for the warfighter. A 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
Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) and will provide 20% more on-orbit
life than previous GPS spacecraft. The Air Force has chosen the Boeing
Delta IV to launch 21 of its 28 EELV payloads.
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 Harris Corp., will also play a key role in the modernization of
the entire GPS ground system architecture design to reduce operator
workload and operational costs.
A unit of The Boeing Co., Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, is
one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses. With
headquarters in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23
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.
