The U.S. Space Force recently awarded global defense technology company Lockheed Martin a $514 million contract to build Global Positioning System IIIF Space Vehicles 23 and 24. This brings the company’s total GPS IIIF commitment to 14 spacecraft.
“Modernizing the constellation with highly resilient, next-generation space vehicles ensures warfighters have access to the GPS capabilities they require for their missions,” Christina Mancinelli, Lockheed Martin vice president of global communications and navigation, said. “We continue to invest in advanced technology, facilities and the people who are the driving force in the production of this spacecraft that help our military secure peace.”
The GPS constellation provides warfighter platforms with critical positioning, navigation and timing capabilities. They also are used for telecommunications networks, emergency‑response services, and everyday navigation.
The 14 upcoming GPS IIIF satellites will broadcast all civil signals with greater accuracy and reliability and will provide military and civilian users with advanced, reliable positioning, navigation and timing capabilities.
Lockheed Martin produces its GPS IIIF satellites at its Denver area facilities. They are engineered for resiliency, and the company uses augmented reality, digital twins and other emerging technologies to accelerate build rates.
All previously Lockheed Martin GPS III satellites reached orbit earlier this year.