Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that its navigation payload provider, ITT Corporation, has delivered a new demonstration payload for a modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite to Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Valley Forge, Pa. for integration on the spacecraft and final system-level testing in preparation for launch next year.
This major milestone was achieved two months ahead of schedule and only nine months after the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $6-million contract to develop the demonstration payload which will temporarily transmit a third civil signal from a GPS IIR-M satellite. This event continues Lockheed Martin’s unrivaled record of success in developing and evolving navigation satellites.
The signal, located on the L5 frequency (1176.45MHz) will comply with international radio frequency spectrum requirements. Future generations of GPS spacecraft will include an operational third civil signal to improve the accuracy and performance capabilities of the system. The spacecraft with the demonstration payload, known as SV 09, is one of the final three Block IIR-M satellites planned for launch in 2008.
“Early delivery of this payload reflects our team’s commitment to successful and timely program execution,” said Don DeGryse, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of Navigation Systems. “We look forward to achieving mission success on this critical initiative, which will provide our customer with a much-needed on-orbit demonstration capability for this important new civil signal next year.”
Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Valley Forge, Pa., is the prime contractor for the GPS IIR program. The company designed and built 21 IIR spacecraft for the Global Positioning Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. The final eight spacecraft, designated GPS IIR-M, were modernized to enhance operations and navigation signal performance for military and civilian GPS users around the globe. ITT supplied all 21 navigation payloads for both the IIR and IIR-M spacecraft.
The GPS constellation provides critical situational awareness and precision weapon guidance for the military. The worldwide system also supports a wide range of civil, scientific and commercial functions — from air traffic control to the Internet — with precision location and timing information.
Lockheed Martin has a legacy of successfully upgrading space programs. In addition to the modernization of the Block IIR program, the company provided progressively advanced upgrades to the Air Forces’ Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), and military satellite communications programs such as the Milstar and Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS).
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.
