WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- The Pentagon has reportedly decided to delay bids for its new generation of Global Positioning System satellites.
The Wall Street Journal reported on its weekend Web site that according to military and defense industry officials, the long-awaited bidding process for the GPS III project would not take place this year.
The multi-billion dollar upgrade of U.S. GPS capabilities has been in the works for about a decade, and the Pentagon has apparently decided to extend its consideration of designs and timing for the new spacecraft.
Air Force Lt. Gen Robert Kehler said he still expected the GPS III satellites to be deployed by the planned 2013 date, although some design changes in ground facilities would be likely.
The Journal reported that the military decided it could take a less-risky and more incremental approach in part because the current constellation of GPS satellites is functioning smoothly.
In addition, the Defense Department has placed an increased emphasis on smaller, less-complex satellites.
There are some caveats to the slower approach that are being considered, the newspaper said.
The GPS III satellites are expected to be harder for enemy forces to jam and changing the production schedule could conflict with planned civilian GPS projects such as the European Galileo.
