SMC Awards Contract for Next Generation GPS Control Segment
December 4, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS
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The U.S. Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Global Positioning Systems Wing awarded next generation Global Positioning System (GPS) III Operational Control Segment (OCX) contracts to Northrop Grumman Corp. Space & Mission Systems and Raytheon Co.
The OCX is slated to replace the current GPS operational control system, maintain backwards compatibility with the Block IIR and IIR-M constellation and enable modernized capabilities onboard the Block IIR-M and IIF satellites, according to the SMC.
In addition, the OCX is billed as providing command and control (C2) of new capabilities associated with the new GPS III family of satellites, said the SMC.
These contract efforts are designed to reduce the risks of developing the OCX and will include a system requirements review, system design review, modernized capability engineering model and will support key decision point B (KDP-B), said the SMC.
At the KDP-B milestone, the U.S. Air Force will downselect to a single prime contractor to continue development of the OCX.
"OCX will shift the focus of GPS operations from satellite C2, transforming the C2 to user-oriented, effects-based operations, ..., " said Colonel Dave Madden, commander, Global Positioning Systems Wing.
The two OCX contracts are estimated to be 18 months in duration and worth $160 million each.
Source: Los Angeles Air Force Base - U.S. Air Force.