Lockheed Martin delivers GPS III COps upgrade
Lockheed Martin has delivered the GPS III Contingency Operations (COps) software upgrade to the US Air Force's current GPS ground control system.
The upgrade will enable the air force to start commanding the new, next-generation GPS III satellites currently in production as they launch.
The first GPS III satellite launched in December 2018; the second GPS III shipped to Cape Canaveral in March for a July launch.
The GPS III COps programme allows the current ground system to fly the legacy constellation, as well as the new GPS III satellites, until the next generation Operational Control System (OCX) Block 1, still in development, is delivered.
The first GPS III space vehicle (GPS III SV01) launched in December 2018. Currently finishing up pre-operational on-orbit check-out, it is controlled by OCX Block 0 software installed at Lockheed Martin's GPS III Launch and Checkout Center. GPS III SV01 is expected to be ‘handed over’ to the COps OCS later this year after the legacy constellation is moved over to the updated ground control system.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Kratos wins $579 million space defence contract for ground control system]()
Kratos wins $579 million space defence contract for ground control system
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to provide satellite control capabilities to US Space Force and US Space Command.
-
![NATO adopts high-data-rate waveform for tactical communications]()
NATO adopts high-data-rate waveform for tactical communications
NATO member countries can now access to the ESSOR HDR Base Waveform which can offer secure and high-speed tactical communications.
-
![Lockheed Martin joins radar research consortium ahead of Finland’s F-35 procurement]()
Lockheed Martin joins radar research consortium ahead of Finland’s F-35 procurement
Lockheed Martin and VTT will lead a consortium of Finnish defence and technology companies to develop signals intelligence technologies for the F-35 and other defence applications.
-
![Eventide Communications' NexLog DX-FIPS recorders achieve JITC certification]()
Eventide Communications' NexLog DX-FIPS recorders achieve JITC certification
Reliability and security remain at the forefront of technology considerations in the rapidly evolving defence communications industry.
-
![Steatite nears completion of order for Crib rugged mobile operations hub]()
Steatite nears completion of order for Crib rugged mobile operations hub
Steatite‘s Crib is a ruggedised universal C2 terminal which incorporates multi-function displays enabled with Persistent Systems Wave Relay Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET) radio.
-
![UK MoD’s new cybersecurity requirements present industry challenges]()
UK MoD’s new cybersecurity requirements present industry challenges
The Secure by Design approach means capability owners and delivery teams are accountable and responsible for delivering systems that are cyber secure.
