Scott Nicholas
Lockheed Martin has fully integrated a Harris-built satellite navigation payload on the fourth U.S. Air Force Global Positioning System III Space Vehicle slated for launch in 2018.
Harris said Friday the navigation payloads for GPS III SV02, SV03 and SV04 have been fully integrated while the fifth payload for SV05 currently undergoes environmental testing.
The satellite navigation payload for the GPS III SV04 was delivered to a Lockheed Martin facility in October.
Lockheed selected Harris to produce 10 GPS III navigation payloads and the latter has committed to supply four of the remaining payloads in 2018.
Harris shipped the third of 10 navigation payloads for the Lockheed-built GPS III satellites in August.
The navigation payloads feature a 70-percent digital mission data unit designed to help increase the satellites’ signal power, jamming resistance and lifespan, noted Harris.
The company also introduced a payload design with a fully digital MDU intended to be integrated on future Lockheed Martin-built GPS III satellites 11 and beyond.
