Lockheed Martin has submitted its proposal for the US Air Force's GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) programme, it was announced on 17 April.
The programme aims to build up to 22 next-generation satellites with enhanced capabilities. Lockheed Martin's proposal adds more power, resiliency and capabilities to the GPS III satellite design currently in production.
Lockheed Martin's proposed GPS IIIF will feature a regional military protection capability that will increase anti-jam support in-theatre to ensure that the US and allied forces are not denied access to GPS in hostile environments. It will also feature a fully-digital navigation payload. The payload on the first ten GPS III satellites that are currently in production is already 70% digital.
Each GPS IIIF satellite will have a laser retro-reflector array, which would refine the positioning of on-orbit satellites with ground-based laser precision. The US government will provide each of these satellites with a new search and rescue payload, making it easier for first responders to detect and respond to emergency signals.
Johnathon Caldwell, program manager for Lockheed Martin's navigation systems mission area, said: ‘When we developed our design for the first ten GPS III, we used a flexible, modular architecture that would allow for the insertion of modern technologies and new USAF requirements in a low-risk manner.
‘In addition, our GPS IIIF solution is based off a design already proven compatible with both the USAF’s next generation operational control system and the existing GPS constellation.’
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
Israel will continue to develop autonomy for its weapons and platforms as it brings together defence personnel, academia and industry.
Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
The tactical satellite (TacSat) is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system and will participate in exercises in 2025.
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
Connect with us on socials
