May 6, 2024 | International, Aerospace
September 17, 2018 | International, Aerospace
Air Force awards next GPS satellite contract
By: Valerie Insinna
WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin has scooped up a contract, worth up to $7.2 billion, for the latest batch of next-generation GPS satellites.
The award decision comes as little surprise, as Lockheed Martin is the incumbent on the GPS III program responsible for manufacturing the first 10 satellites. It was also the sole bidder on the most recent contracting vehicle, which will span an additional 22 satellites.
“The world is dependent on GPS, from getting directions to getting cash from an ATM machine or trading on the stock exchange,” said Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson in a statement. “These satellites will provide greater accuracy and improved anti-jamming capabilities, making them more resilient.”
Three companies — Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Northrop Grumman —won Phase 1 contracts for the follow-one program in 2016 to perform feasibility studies, but the Boeing and Northrop Grumman dropped out of the competition.
Boeing in April 2018 confirmed that it did not bid on the opportunity, stating that the solicitation “emphasized mature production to current GPS requirements and did not value lower cost, payload performance or flexibility.”
Full article: https://www.c4isrnet.com/space/2018/09/14/air-force-awards-next-gps-satellite-contract
On the same subject
-
-
February 18, 2021 | International, Aerospace
Swedish defense leaders push Saab’s Gripen offer for Finland
Five vendors from the United States and Europe are expected to deliver their best and final offers for the $12 billion Finnish HX program by the end of April.
-
January 23, 2019 | International, Aerospace, C4ISR
US spy satellite launched into orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base
By: The Associated Press VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — A powerful Delta 4 Heavy rocket carrying a U.S. spy satellite lifted off Saturday from California. The rocket propelled the National Reconnaissance Office satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 11:10 a.m. Pacific time, arcing over the Pacific Ocean west of Los Angeles as it headed toward space. The outer boosters of the rocket separated about four minutes into flight, followed shortly by separation of the central first-stage booster and successful ignition of the upper stage. As is customary with classified payloads, United Launch Alliance webcast the liftoff only until the aerodynamic fairing covering the payload was discarded. Details of the mission, dubbed NROL-71, were not released. The launch had been repeatedly delayed since late last year for various reasons including a hydrogen leak, high winds and a problem with ground communication equipment. The National Reconnaissance Office is responsible for U.S. intelligence satellites. United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The Delta 4 Heavy stands 233 feet (71 meters) tall. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/01/20/us-spy-satellite-launched-into-orbit-from-vandenberg-air-force-base/