September 14, 2018 | International, C4ISR
By: Daniel Cebul
The U.S. Air Force is getting ready to deliver the first of its next-generation GPS III satellites into orbit later this year, and expects the new satellites to deliver significant capability improvements. But much work also needs to be done on Earth to make sure the Air Force is able to get the most out of the platforms.
That's why Lockheed Martin will begin a series of updates to the architecture's ground control system following the initial launch, according to a statement from the company. These updates will give the Air Force get a head start on testing and operations before the majority of the constellation is in place.
The Air Force placed Lockheed Martin on contract in 2016 and 2017 to upgrade the existing Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP) Operational Control System (OCS) called GPS III Contingency Operations (COps) and M-Code Early Use (MCEU), respectively. Just as the GPS III satellites themselves are equipped with improved anti-jamming technology and more accurate signals transmission capability, the ground systems and software that control them need to be upgraded as well.
The Air Force has also worked with Raytheon on the estimated $6 billion Operational Control Segment program, often referred to as OCX. That program is expected to serve as the primary ground control system for the GPS III program but has been behind schedule. SpaceNews recently reported the target completion date for Block 1 of the program is June 2021. Block O, the launch and checkout system, was delivered in September 2017.
ockheed Martin's contingency program will allow the existing control system to support and integrate more powerful GPS III satellites. Modifications will support GPS III satellites in their position, navigation and timing missions, coordinating their movement with GPS IIR, IIR-M and IIF satellites already in orbit.
A second set of upgrades, known as the MCEU modernization program, will focus on the development of M-Code, a new advanced signal designed to improve anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities. The program will improve the existing ground system and allow it to task, upload and monitor M-Code within the GPS constellation. In other words, MCEU modernization will help the Air Force integrate and test GPS III satellites into the current constellation earlier.
COps is on schedule for delivery in May 2019 and MCEU is scheduled for delivery in January 2020.
March 31, 2023 | International, Other Defence
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in the running to be the new head of NATO, The Sun newspaper reported on Friday, citing a diplomatic source.
January 20, 2021 | International, C4ISR
Fairfax, Va. – January 19, 2021 - General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), announced today it has been awarded the United States Army Europe (USAREUR) Enterprise Mission Information Technology Services (EMITS) task order by the General Services Administration (GSA). The task order, awarded in fourth-quarter 2020, has a total estimated value of $695 million over a five-year period, inclusive of a three-month transition, one-year base period and four one-year options. GDIT will deliver enterprise information technology, communications and mission command support services to USAREUR headquarters, US North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations, and other forward deployed Department of Defense (DoD) organizations and Regionally Aligned Forces (RAF) in Europe. Prior to this award, GDIT worked in tandem with the United States Army in Europe through the USAREUR G6 Theater Mission Command Contract (TMCC) II task order awarded to GDIT in 2016. “GDIT looks forward to the opportunity to continue supporting the USAREUR G6 and its growing need for expanded theater communications and greater interoperability to enhance Army and Allied mission command systems” said Amy Gilliland, GDIT president. Building upon GDIT's previously awarded TMCC II task order, the EMITS task order will deliver technical expertise in cybersecurity solutions to further optimize critical mission command networks and systems enabling USAREUR operations to advance its global mission. General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; IT services; C4ISR solutions; and shipbuilding and ship repair. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $39.4 billion in revenue in 2019. More information about General Dynamics Information Technology is available at www.gdit.com. More information about General Dynamics is available at www.gd.com Media Contact: Oliver Nutt Oliver.Nutt@gdit.com (703) 852-1599 View source version on General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT): https://www.gd.com/Articles/2021/01/19/gdit-695-million-army-enterprise-mission-information-technology-services
December 13, 2023 | International, Land, C4ISR
A platoon at Fort Moore, Georgia and another at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, lead experiments.