LM, ITT, GD seek new GPS contract

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin said last week it was seeking a U.S. Air Force contract to build the GPS Block III satellites.

Lockheed Martin said in a statement Thursday that it was "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."

"A multibillion-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," Lockheed Martin said.

"The next-generation program will improve position, navigation, and timing services for the war fighter and civil users worldwide and provide advanced anti-jam capabilities yielding improved system security, accuracy," Lockheed Martin said.

"Each IIR-M satellite includes a modernized antenna panel that provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti-jamming capabilities for the military, and a second civil signal that will provide users with an open access signal on a different frequency," the company said.

"The Global Positioning System enables properly equipped users to determine precise time and velocity and worldwide latitude, longitude and altitude to within a few meters. 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," the company said.

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.