DENVER, June 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In a specialized
cleanroom designed to streamline satellite production, Lockheed
Martin (NYSE: LMT) is in full production building GPS III – the
world's most powerful GPS satellites. The company's second GPS III
satellite is now assembled and preparing for environmental testing,
and the third satellite is close behind, having just received its
navigation payload.
In May, the U.S. Air Force's second GPS III satellite was fully
assembled and entered into Space Vehicle (SV) single line flow when
Lockheed Martin technicians successfully integrated its system
module, propulsion core and antenna deck. GPS III SV02 smoothly
came together through a series of carefully-orchestrated
manufacturing maneuvers utilizing a 10-ton crane.
GPS III SV02 is part of the Air Force's next generation of GPS
satellites, which have three times better accuracy and up to eight
times improved anti-jamming capabilities. Spacecraft life will
extend to 15 years, 25 percent longer than the newest GPS
satellites on-orbit today.
"Now fully-integrated, GPS III SV02 will begin environmental
testing this summer to ensure the satellite is ready for the rigors
of space," said Mark Stewart, vice
president of Navigation Systems for Lockheed Martin. "This testing
simulates harsh launch and space environments the satellite will
endure, and further reduces any risk prior to it being available
for launch in 2018."
A Factory Full of GPS III Satellites
Right behind GPS III SV02, eight more contracted GPS III
satellites are moving through production flow at Lockheed Martin's
nearly 40,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art GPS III Processing Facility
near Denver.
GPS III SV03 recently completed initial power on of its bus,
which contains the electronics that operate the satellite. The
company received SV03's navigation payload from its supplier,
Harris Corporation, in May. After further system testing, SV03 will
be ready for full integration later this fall.
GPS III SV04's major electronics are being populated as it
prepares for its own initial power on. This satellite's navigation
payload is expected to arrive and be integrated into its space
vehicle before the end of the year.
Components of the next six satellites, GPS III SV05-10, are
arriving at Lockheed Martin daily from more than 250 suppliers in
29 states. To date, more than 70 percent of parts and materials for
SV05-08 have been received. The company was put under production
contract for SV09-10 in late 2016.
All of these satellites are now following the Air Force's first
GPS III satellite, GPS III SV01, through a proven assembly,
integration and test flow. SV01 completed its final Factory
Functional Qualification Testing and was placed into storage in
February 2017 ahead of its expected
2018 launch.
Investing in the Future of GPS III
With multiple satellites now in production, Lockheed Martin
engineers are building GPS III smarter and faster. Key to their
success is the company's GPS III Processing Facility, a cleanroom
manufacturing center designed in a virtual-reality environment to
maximize production efficiency. Lockheed Martin invested
$128 million in the new center, which
opened in 2011.
The company's unique satellite design includes a flexible,
modular architecture that allows for the easy insertion of new
technology as it becomes available in the future or if the Air
Force's mission needs change. Satellites based off this design also
will already be compatible with both the Air Force's next
generation Operational Control System (OCX) and the existing GPS
constellation.
"From day one, GPS III has been a team effort and our successes
would not have been possible without a strong Air Force
partnership. GPS III will ensure the U.S. maintains the gold
standard for positioning, navigation and timing," said Stewart. "We
look forward to bringing GPS III's new capabilities to our
warfighters and beginning to launch these satellites in 2018."
The GPS III team is led by the Global Positioning Systems
Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.
Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS),
based at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, manages and operates the GPS
constellation for both civil and military users.
For additional GPS III information, photos and video visit:
www.lockheedmartin.com/gps.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace
company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin