Tag: Raytheon

Raytheon to replace computer hardware on new GPS ground system

Photo: Raytheon

The U.S. Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center’s GPS Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) program on March 26 instructed Raytheon to replace the computer hardware in OCX prior to system delivery.

The IBM computer product line used in the system was sold to a Chinese company, Lenovo, in August 2014. At the time of the sale, the U.S. government identified this as a major impact to OCX by creating an unacceptable cyber risk. However, the government waited implement a fix until Raytheon showed promising program performance in delivering OCX.

“Over the last two and a half years, since OCX came out of its Nunn-McCurdy breach, Raytheon has been executing as planned, giving us confidence in OCX’s ability to transition into operations,” said Lt. Gen. John Thompson, SMC commander.

Software development was completed in the fall of 2019, and the program is in the integration and test phase. Within a year, Raytheon is expected to deliver a qualified software baseline capable of operating the GPS constellation, Thompson said.

Until OCX is deployed, GPS will be operated using the Contingency Operations, or COps, supplied by Lockheed Martin.

HPE chosen as hardware vendor

In 2017, the federal government sponsored a hardware trade study with U.S.-based vendors to replace IBM’s hardware. As a result of the study, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) was selected as the vendor. The program then conducted a pilot project replacing the IBM hardware in the 17 external monitoring stations and four ground antenna sites, resulting in successful HPE replacement.

“This gave us confidence that we had a viable OCX technical solution providing a long term sustainable hardware baseline that meets our stringent cyber security requirements,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Gabriele, SMC’s OCX materiel leader. “As Raytheon continues to track to their contractual commitments, addressing the unsupportable IBM cyber security risk is prudent to do pre-system delivery to the government.

“Although this government-directed change will impact the Raytheon schedule, the government is holding Raytheon accountable to deliver qualified software prior to integrating on the HPE platform and deploying to operational sites,” Gabriele said.

“By executing the fix now we eliminate $150 million in rework and retesting, and ensuring we deliver a system that is capable of transitioning to operations,” said Barbara Baker, SMC Command and Control Division’s senior materiel leader.

Decades-old hardware

Another benefit of the $378 million government-directed contract change is the opportunity to replace the now decade-old IBM hardware. This will improve system performance and increase the OCX program supportability posture.

“OCX is critical to continuing high priority national efforts to modernize GPS with new military and civil positioning capabilities, including enhanced security, precision, reliability, and integrity. OCX will deliver sustained, reliable GPS capabilities to America’s warfighters, allies, and civil users,” Baker said.

The OCX program is part of the GPS Enterprise Modernization. OCX will deliver two times more satellite capacity, modern cyber-secure infrastructure, improved accuracy, globally deployed modernized receivers with anti-jam capabilities, and improved availability in difficult terrain.

“As a high interest program, we will continue to work with our industry partners to deliver a global GPS capability, Gabriele said.

March 30, 2020
Raytheon awards Kongsberg contract for GPS-guided missiles

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a contract with Raytheon Missile Systems to deliver Naval Strike Missiles under a contract worth $21.36 million. The missiles are for the United States Navy’s Over-The-Horizon Weapon System (OTH WS) program. Raytheon is the prime contractor.

The Naval Strike Missile is a GPS-guided long-range, precision strike weapon that can find and destroy enemy ships at distances up to 100 nautical miles. The stealthy missile flies at sea-skimming altitude, has terrain-following capability (it banks to turn) and uses an imaging infrared seeker for precise targeting in challenging conditions. The missile employs a semi-armor-piercing warhead optimized for anti-surface warfare.

According to Raytheon, the missile also is suited for land attack missions because it can climb and descend with the terrain. It was successfully tested in a land-based mobile launcher configuration in 2018 as part of a multination military exercise. In 2019, the U.S. Marine Corps integrated a land-based Naval Strike Missile into its force structure, sharing costs and interoperability with the Navy.

The missile was first fired in the Indo-Pacific region, according to the Navy. Then, on Oct. 1, it was launched from the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) during Pacific Griffin, an exercise conducted with the Singaporean navy near Guam Sep. 27 through Oct. 10, 2019.

The OTH-WS program is a long-range, surface-to-surface warfare system intended to offensively engage maritime targets both inside and beyond the radar horizon. The system consists of an operator interface console, Naval Strike Missile, and the Missile Launching System. The OTH-WS is intended to be a stand-alone system requiring minimal integration into the ship’s platform.

The Navy selected the Naval Strike Missile in 2018, with Raytheon as the contractor for its over-the-horizon defense of littoral combat ships and future frigates.

Also in 2019, the Navy conducted a structural test firing of the OTH-WS to assess the integrity and safety of the weapon system installation on the launch platform. The test showed there were no problems regarding integration of the missile launching system with the platform.

The Navy is planning to conduct Initial Operational Test and Evaluation and Live-Fire Test and Evaluation in fiscal years 2020-2022. and is developing a test and evaluation plan and live-fire test strategy.

The USS Gabrielle Giffords launches a Naval Strike Missile during exercise Pacific Griffin. (Photo: U.S. Navy//Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe/Released.)

March 9, 2020
BAE Systems to get Collins GPS and Raytheon ATR businesses

BAE Systems Inc. has reached definitive agreements for the proposed acquisitions of Collins Aerospace’s military GPS business and Raytheon’s Airborne Tactical Radios (ATR) business.

The two high-performing businesses are being sold in connection with obtaining the required antitrust clearances for the previously announced pending merger between Raytheon and United Technologies Corporation (UTC).

The proposed acquisitions are structured as asset transactions with associated tax benefits, and they remain subject to customary closing adjustments. The asset purchase agreement for the Collins military GPS business calls for cash of $1.925 billion, with an expected tax benefit of approximately $365 million. For Raytheon’s ATR business, the purchase agreement calls for cash of $275 million, with an expected tax benefit of approximately $50 million.

“As militaries around the world increasingly operate in contested environments, the industry-leading, battle-tested products of these two businesses will complement and extend our existing portfolio of solutions we offer our customers,” said Jerry DeMuro, CEO of BAE Systems, Inc. “This unique opportunity to acquire critical radio and GPS capabilities strengthens our position as a leading provider of defense electronics and communications systems, and further supports our alignment with the modernization priorities of the U.S. military and its partners.”

These proposed acquisitions are subject to the successful closure of the Raytheon-UTC transaction, as well as the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, including receipt of the required U.S. regulatory approvals. Upon closure, both business lines would be integrated into the company’s Electronic Systems sector.

“These are strong businesses with talented employees who share our focus on quality and technology innovation,” said Tom Arseneault, president and COO of BAE Systems Inc. “We are confident of a smooth transition that will accelerate our future together and look forward to welcoming these new employees to the BAE Systems team once the transactions are approved.”

Collins’ Military GPS Business

Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Collins’ military GPS business is a longstanding provider of mission critical military GPS receiver solutions and has been a pioneer in military GPS receiver markets for over 40 years. Today, it designs and produces advanced, hardened and secure GPS products to include M-Code, anti-jamming, and anti-spoofing technologies. The business has an installed base of over 1.5 million devices on approximately 280 platform types around the world, including ground, airborne, and weapon systems.

Given the requirement for ubiquitous, secure geo-positioning in contested battlefields, this technology offering will continue to be critical to the U.S. military and partners worldwide. For example, the business is currently developing the next generation of M-Code GPS technologies for the U.S. military, which will advance our collective position to address the priority growth area of precision guided munitions.

Raytheon’s Airborne Tactical Radios Business

Raytheon’s ATR business is a leading provider of airborne tactical radio solutions. Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Largo, Florida, the ATR business designs, manufactures, and supplies a wide array of mission-critical communication systems to the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments, and large defense aircraft manufacturers. The business has leveraged its innovative technologies to develop secure communications solutions that are installed on a broad range of military airborne platforms.

Coupled with the Electronic Systems sector of BAE Systems, Inc., Raytheon’s ATR business will enhance our positions in airborne communications with broad spectrum, multi-band, multi-channel radios including battle proven, robust, anti-jam, and encryption capabilities. The ATR business brings both complementary waveform expertise and a long trusted partnership with the U.S. Army.

These businesses will be excellent strategic fits with the strong BAE Systems Electronic Systems sector, and our combined capabilities will benefit our customers and all of our stakeholders.

January 24, 2020
Raytheon upgrades WAAS with GEO 6 payload

Photo: Nieuwland Photography/Shutterstock

Raytheon has delivered the Wide Area Augmentation System Geosynchronous Earth Orbiting 6 satellite navigation payload to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to broadcast the WAAS message, which corrects errors in GPS satellite signals, provides expanded coverage, improves accuracy and increases reliability.

The WAAS GEO 6 payload is now operational and fully integrated into the WAAS network, working with two other WAAS satellite payloads already in orbit.

The SES-15 satellite hosting Raytheon’s WAAS GEO 6 payload was launched in 2017 and completed extensive system integration in July 2019.

GEO 6 replaces an older WAAS geostationary satellite that had reached its end-of-service life.

About WAAS. Developed and installed by Raytheon for the FAA, WAAS is a North American satellite-based augmentation system that increases GPS satellite signal accuracy for precision approach at 200 feet altitude to meet strict air navigation performance and safety requirements for all classes of aircraft in all phases of flight.

WAAS contains space and ground equipment that works together to identify GPS satellite corrections.

Operational since 2003, the WAAS network consists of three geostationary satellites and 49 terrestrial-based stations dispersed across the continental U.S., as well as Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

“Never has a consistent and precise GPS signal been more critical to ensuring safety of flight,” said Matt Gilligan, vice president of Raytheon’s Intelligence, Information and Services business. “As the airspace increases in complexity, there is absolutely no room for error.”

To learn more about Raytheon’s portfolio of air traffic management solutions, visit here.

November 5, 2019
Business presidents named for consolidated Raytheon businesses in Raytheon/United Technologies merger

Raytheon Company Chairman and CEO Thomas A. Kennedy announced leadership appointments for the Raytheon businesses that will be consolidated following the close of the merger of equals with United Technologies.

Roy Azevedo will be president of the Intelligence, Space and Airborne Systems, which combines Space and Airborne Systems (SAS); Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS); and Forcepoint. The new business unit will have 2019 sales of approximately $15 billion.

Wesley D. Kremer will be president of the Integrated Defense and Missile Systems, which combines Missile Systems (MS) and Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). The new business unit will have 2019 sales of approximately $16 billion.

“Roy and Wes are defense industry veterans with proven track records developing and delivering advanced technologies,” said Thomas A. Kennedy. “Their global business acumen and strong customer focus will help ensure the new Raytheon Technologies Corporation is poised for success from day one.”

Anthony “Toby” O’Brien was selected as chief financial officer for the new Raytheon Technologies Corp. O’Brien is the current CFO of Raytheon Company.

The Raytheon business unit consolidation will be effective upon merger close, which is expected in the first half of 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals, as well as completion by United Technologies of the separation of its Otis and Carrier businesses.

Roy Azevedo, President, Intelligence, Space and Airborne Systems

Roy Azevedo was appointed president of Raytheon SAS in 2018. The business is a leader in the design, development and manufacture of integrated sensor and communication systems for advanced missions. These missions include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; precision engagement; manned and unmanned aerial operations; electronic warfare; and space.

With a workforce of 17,600 and 2018 sales of $6.7 billion, Space and Airborne Systems is headquartered in McKinney, Texas and operates across the United States and internationally, overseeing Raytheon UK.

Before being named president of SAS, Azevedo was vice president and general manager of Raytheon’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems, a mission area within SAS that focuses on electro-optical/infrared sensors, active electronically scanned array/scanning radars, and various special mission aircraft solutions to provide customers with actionable information for strike and persistent surveillance.

The new Intelligence, Space and Airborne Systems business which Azevedo will lead, pairs his existing business unit with Raytheon’s Intelligence, Information and Services business, and the company’s commercial cybersecurity unit, Forcepoint™. The newly combined business will offer world-class airborne and space sensors, electronic warfare and communications systems, cybersecurity and cyber analytics capabilities, advanced air traffic control technologies, ground-based space logistics, training, and engineering services. It will also provide artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, and mission support.

Azevedo, who joined Raytheon in 1989, also serves as a member of the Raytheon Saudi Arabia, Raytheon UK and Raytheon Australia Boards of Directors.

Wesley D. Kremer, President, Integrated Defense and Missile Systems

Wes Kremer currently serves as president of Raytheon Missile Systems, after being appointed to the role in March 2019. Missile Systems is the world’s leading producer of weapon systems for the United States military and the allied forces of more than 50 countries. It produces defensive and offensive weapons for air, land, sea and space, including interceptors for U.S. ballistic missile defense. The business continually develops and invests in new, innovative technologies such as hypersonic and counter-hypersonic weapons and directed energy systems to provide rapid, high-quality, affordable mission capability to its customers. It had 2018 sales of $8.3 billion and employs more than 16,000 people. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, Missile Systems also has locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, as well as oversight of Raytheon Emirates, where Kremer serves as board chair.

Prior to leading MS, Kremer was president of Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems business, which is headquartered in Tewksbury, Massachusetts with 31 locations around the world and operational oversight of Raytheon Saudi Arabia. Its broad portfolio of weapons, sensors and integration systems supports its customer base across multiple mission areas, including air and missile defense systems; missile defense radars; early warning radars; naval ship radar systems; C5I® products and services; and other advanced technologies.

Kremer also served 11 years in the U.S. Air Force as a weapon systems officer, flying the F-111 and F-15E, with more than 1,500 hours of flight time in fighter aircraft, including over 90 combat sorties. He joined Raytheon in 2003.

Anthony “Toby” O’Brien, Chief Financial Officer

Toby O’Brien was named chief financial officer for the future Raytheon Technologies Corporation on September 12, 2019. He currently serves as vice president and chief financial officer of Raytheon Company where he directs the company’s overall financial strategy. His responsibilities include financial reporting and controls, merger and acquisition activity, planning and analysis, investor relations, tax and treasury.

Prior to his current position, O’Brien was vice president of finance and chief financial officer for Raytheon IDS. He has also served as Raytheon vice president of finance, CFO of Raytheon Aircraft Company and has held other senior finance positions across Raytheon.

O’Brien joined Raytheon in 1986.

October 24, 2019
Raytheon adopts tech-startup processes for OCX

Raytheon plans to deliver the final phase of the GPS Ground Control System (OCX) upgrade to the United States Air Force by June 2021, despite past delays to the program.

A report by the General Accountability Office (GAO), issued in May, said the Air Force has yet to develop full cost estimates for the new ground system, as well as the user equipment needed to access the expanded capabilities of GPS III.

In the report, the GAO recommended that the Department of Defense (D0D) conduct an independent schedule assessment of the full program schedule at the end of 2019. DOD did not agree with the recommendation.

“OCX delivery, acceptance, and the ready to transition to operations decision will likely be delayed, potentially exceeding the April 2023 threshold date for completing the program,” the GAO report said.

However, Raytheon said Oct. 1 that it had completed software and hardware development and has started testing and integrating the system, keeping it on track to meet its contractual deadline.

In an Oct. 1 Denver Post article, David Wajsgras, president of Raytheon’s Intelligence, Information and Services business, said Raytheon has changed its process for the OCX upgrade by adopting less-traditional tech startup development processes.

The new process —now in action at Raytheon’s Aurora, Colorado, campus — emphasizes collaboration across teams and has a less linear structure.

“I’d call it almost a 180 from the way we had developed software in the past, from the traditional way for the Department of Defense,” Wajsgras told the Post.

“A few years ago the GPS OCX program was considered the No.1 problem program in the entire Department of Defense,” Wajsgras acknowledged. “Our team truly stepped up to the challenge of what needed to be done in order to get one of the most important programs for U.S. government back on track.”

DOD’s Defense Digital Service helped the company apply an “agile” approach to “DevOps” (development and operations) that stresses collaboration across teams as well as flexibility.

The new process includes “dojos,” centers for focused, quick training, and “hives,” open workspaces without cubicle walls.

Read more here.

October 7, 2019
Raytheon completes full GPS OCX design and development

Program enters integration and test phase on track to 2021 delivery

Raytheon Company’s GPS Next-Generation Operational Control System, known as GPS OCX, has completed full software and hardware development and entered the system integration and test phase. The milestone keeps GPS OCX, the enhanced ground control segment of a U.S. Air Force-led effort to modernize America’s GPS system, on track to meet its June 2021 contractual delivery deadline.

“GPS OCX is one of the largest, most complex software development programs in the Department of Defense, and we’re now in the home stretch toward full system delivery,” said Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon’s Intelligence, Information and Services business.

The GPS OCX team completed development of 1.5 million lines of software code, supported by a pivot to leading-edge commercial software development processes that began in 2016. Additionally, the team’s information assurance best practices helped the program achieve the highest level of cybersecurity protections of any DoD space system.

The U.S. Air Force used the cybersecure GPS OCX launch and checkout system, often referred to as Block 0, to launch the first modernized GPS III satellite into space in December 2018 and the second in August 2019.

The team’s focus for the remainder of 2019 is the delivery of the system’s new modernized receivers, which will measure and monitor legacy military and civilian signals sent by the current GPS satellite constellation plus the new signals sent by the next-generation GPS IIIs.

Ground antenna at Schriever Air Force Base, home of the 50th Space Wing. (Photo: Raytheon)

October 1, 2019
Javelin missiles remotely launched from unmanned vehicle

Remotely controlled Javelin firings can help keep soldiers out of harm’s way. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

The Javelin Joint Venture team, a partnership of Raytheon Company and Lockheed Martin, successfully fired Javelin missiles from a Kongsberg remote launcher mounted on a Titan unmanned ground vehicle built by QinetiQ North America and Milrem Robotics.

The demonstrations, conducted at the U.S. Army Redstone Test Center, Alabama, validated the integration of the weapon station, missile and vehicle.

“Javelin is ready to support emerging military robotic vehicle requirements,” said Sam Deneke, Raytheon Land Warfare Systems vice president. “Remotely operated technology like this protects soldiers in battle.”

Javelin has been fielded on the Common Remote Operations Weapon Station-Javelin across U.S. Army Stryker 8×8 vehicle brigades in Europe.

“Javelin offers true fire-and-forget engagements to 4 kilometers in most operational conditions,” said David Pantano, Javelin Joint Venture vice president and Lockheed Martin Javelin program director. “Once the launch command is issued, soldiers and vehicle assets like the UGV can reposition out of harm’s way. These tests demonstrated our ability to evolve Javelin capabilities to address new missions in support of the warfighter.”

Javelin is a versatile one-man-portable and platform-employed anti-tank and multi-target precision weapon system. The Javelin Joint Venture team has produced more than 45,000 Javelin missiles and 12,000 command launch units. The program continually updates the system to stay ahead of advancing threats, including enhancing its platform-mounted capabilities.

U.S. and coalition forces have used Javelin extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq in more than 5,000 engagements.

September 10, 2019
Satellite space sensor to measure coastal and ocean ecosystems

Hyperspectral imagery of U.S. East Coast. (Image: NOAA)

Raytheon will build the Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (GLIMR) sensor under a contract from the University of New Hampshire. GLIMR, NASA’s selected Earth Venture Instrument-5 investigation, will be NASA’s first hyperspectral imager in geostationary (GEO) orbit.

Hyperspectral imaging collects and processes information from across the electromagnetic spectrum including visible light, infrared and ultraviolet frequencies to create a highly detailed view of physical and biological conditions in coastal waters.

The instrument will provide high-sensitivity, high-spatial and high-temporal resolution measurements of coastal and ocean ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico, parts of the southeastern U.S. coastline and the Amazon River plume.

Decision-makers will use the GLIMR data to respond rapidly to natural and manmade coastal water disasters, such as harmful algae blooms and oil spills. It will also help improve the coastal ecosystem’s sustainability and resource management.

“GLIMR will collect the sharpest and most colorful view of physical and biological conditions in coastal waters ever seen from GEO,” said Jeff Puschell, GLIMR instrument scientist and principal engineering fellow at Raytheon Space Systems. “A hyperspectral imager is essential technology to capture new insight about our changing coastal ecosystems.”

The University of New Hampshire is NASA’s lead organization for the GLIMR contract. The instrument will launch aboard its host spacecraft in the 2026-2027 timeframe. Its data will be available to scientists, researchers and educators around the world.

August 26, 2019
Raytheon M-code receivers certified by U.S. Air Force

Photo: Raytheon

New technology makes GPS more secure and reliable for military systems.

Raytheon has received security certification for new GPS modules and receivers from the GPS Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.

The new modules and receivers will give military aircraft, ships, ground vehicles and weapon systems secure and reliable access to modernized GPS.

“Because GPS is under constant attack, we worked with our government partners to create new M-code modules and receivers that give the military secure and resilient navigation systems,” said Eric Ditmars, vice president of Raytheon’s Secure Sensor Solutions. “And since the tech is platform agnostic, it will work on a wide-range of platforms in the air, on the ground or at sea.”

Raytheon’s military code common GPS module was certified, along with its ground-based GPS receiver, or GB-GRAM, and the avionics GPS receiver, or GRAM-S/M. GB-GRAM and GRAM S/M are jointly developed with Trimble, while General Dynamics provides cryptographic capabilities for the modules.

“Operators need a system that is flexible and fast,” said Chad Pillsbury, director of Resilient Navigation at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. “We’ve designed these GPS systems with a common security architecture — meaning we can get this capability in the hands of operators faster and eliminate the need for additional security certifications.”

August 9, 2019
Raytheon, AirMap work on integrating drones into national airspace
Raytheon Company has signed a strategic agreement with AirMap, an airspace intelligence platform for drones, to collaborate on projects to safely integrate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into the national airspace system. This will help unlock the positive economic and social benefits of expanded commercial drone operations, the companies said.

Unmanned air traffic control advances will unlock safe, efficient and scalable drone operations with a myriad of economic and social benefits.

“AirMap is ushering in a new era in drone aviation,” said Matt Gilligan, vice president of Raytheon’s Intelligence, Information and Services business. “Drones must safely operate in an already complex ecosystem, which is where our experience matters.”

The agreement combines the two companies’ expertise:
- Raytheon’s Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, or STARS, is used by air traffic controllers across the U.S. to provide safe and efficient aircraft spacing and sequencing guidance for more than 40,000 departing and arriving aircraft daily at both civilian and military airports.
- AirMap is a global provider of airspace intelligence for UAS operations, with over 250,000 registered users. In 2018, U.S. registered commercial drone pilots used AirMap to request more than 45,000 automated authorizations to fly in controlled airspace.
“Raytheon technology has helped safely and effectively manage airspace in the most complex, dense controlled airspace in the world for decades,” said Ben Marcus, AirMap co-founder and chairman. “They are an ideal partner to join AirMap on the path toward enabling safe, efficient, and scalable drone operations in U.S. low-altitude airspace between 0 and 400 feet.”

The two companies are working toward an integrated demonstration that will showcase how AirMap’s unmanned aircraft traffic management platform can increase air traffic controllers’ awareness of potential conflict between drones and manned aircraft near airports to ensure overall safety of the airspace.
July 3, 2019
Raytheon to start global installation of GPS OCX receivers

Raytheon Company’s GPS Next-Generation Operational Control System program, known as GPS OCX, completed final qualification testing of the system’s modernized monitor station receivers, which are now ready to be installed around the world starting in August.

GPS OCX is the enhanced ground control segment of a U.S. Air Force-led effort to modernize America’s GPS system.

“The modernized receivers give GPS OCX the ability to receive and decrypt all GPS III military and civil signals, a critical capability the current system doesn’t have,” said Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services. “Monitor station receiver installation keeps us on track for full system delivery by our June 2021 contractual deadline.”

The modernized receivers will measure and monitor legacy military and civilian signals sent by the current GPS satellite constellation plus the new signals sent by the next-generation GPS III.

The receivers will also feed correction models at the master control station, giving U.S. Air Force satellite controllers the information necessary to make key adjustments to maximize accuracy.

Feature photo: GPS ground antenna at Schriever Air Force Base, home of the 50th Space Wing. (Photo: Raytheon)

May 13, 2019