DENVER,
Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Positioning System (GPS) Block
IIR and IIR-M satellite constellation, designed and built by
Lockheed Martin
(NYSE: LMT) to provide significantly improved navigation capabilities for
military and civilian users worldwide, has accumulated over 75 years of
successful on-orbit operations.
GPS provides essential services including situational awareness and
precision weapon guidance for the military. It is also an information
resource supporting a wide range of civil, scientific and commercial functions
-- from air traffic control to the Internet -- with precision location and
timing information.
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 Block
IIR-M, were modernized to enhance operations and navigation signal performance
for military and civilian GPS users around the globe. ITT, Clifton, N.J.
supplied all 21 navigation payloads for both the IIR and IIR-M spacecraft.
GPS IIR satellites have been delivering improved navigation capabilities
to the U.S. military and civil users since the first successful launch of a
IIR satellite on July 23, 1997. There are currently 12 operational Block IIR
and five IIR-M satellites within the overall 30-spacecraft constellation. The
team is now gearing up for the launch of the sixth IIR-M satellite scheduled
for liftoff in March from Cape Canaveral.
"We are proud of this milestone and our partnership with the Air Force in
providing reliable, high-performance GPS spacecraft that not only help our
warfighters achieve their missions with greater speed and effectiveness, but
also serve millions of civil users around the globe," said Don DeGryse,
Lockheed Martin's Vice President of Navigation Systems. "We look forward to
achieving mission success and delivering even greater navigation capabilities
as we prepare to launch the next modernized satellite."
Based on the navigation user range error, which measures GPS accuracy, the
Block IIR and IIR-M satellites enable properly equipped users to determine
precise time and velocity, and worldwide latitude, longitude and altitude to
within one meter. Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2
SOPS) at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., manages and operates the GPS
constellation for both civil and military users.
Lockheed Martin is also leading a team which includes ITT and General
Dynamics in the competition to build the U.S. Air Force's next-generation
Global Positioning System, GPS Block III. The next-generation program will
improve position, navigation, and timing services for the warfighter and civil
users worldwide and provide advanced anti-jam capabilities yielding improved
system security, accuracy and reliability.
A multi-billion dollar development contract is scheduled to be awarded by
the Global Positioning Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los
Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. in early 2008.
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.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Low- and high-resolution JPEG image files of a
modernized GPS IIR satellite are available at:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/GPS
Media Contact: Steve Tatum, 408-742-7531; e-mail,
Stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com
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