Boeing to continue helping Air Force with GPS satellite modernization
- By Defense Systems Staff
- Feb 14, 2013
Boeing has won a $51 million contract from the Air Force to continue modernizing the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite constellation for up to five more years, company officials said Feb. 12. The one-year base contract has four one-year options.
Under the agreement, Boeing Defense, Space and Security will be responsible for GPS Block IIF satellite shipment to the launch site in Florida, pre-launch preparation, post-launch checkout, handover and on-orbit support, the officials said.
The purpose of the GPS Block IIF satellite constellation is to deliver sustained, reliable GPS capabilities to U.S. warfighters, U.S. allies and civil users, according to the Air Force said. GPS technology furnishes positioning, navigation and timing service.
The company is on contract for 12 GPS Block IIF satellites, three of which have been launched into service, Boeing officials said. The Block IIFs offer improved navigational accuracy through advances that include atomic clock technology, a new civilian L5 signal and an improved military signal, the officials said.
The next IIF satellite is scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2013. Boeing said it will complete production of the remaining Block IIF satellites by the end of the year.