Tue, Feb 27, 2007
Lockheed Martin and Boeing Competing
The Air Force says it needs 32 new global positioning
satellites, to replace 24 of its currently orbiting satellites. The
Pentagon will seek bids for the first phase of the tri-phased
multi-billion dollar project in March, according to Candrea Thomas,
spokeswoman for the Air Force's Los Angeles-based Space and Missile
Systems Center.
The new satellites are intended for implementation of a new
system, Global Positioning III, which is intended to improve
navigation by air, land and sea. GPS III will also be
more difficult to disable.
The Associated Press reports Boeing and Lockheed Martin
will hotly contend for the contract and attempt to ensure that
whoever is chosen for phase one will also lead the second and third
phases of the contract. Both companies currently supply the Air
Force with satellites.
Lockheed and Boeing have already received roughly $85 million
from the Air Force for initial planning and development for the
first phase of the contract, according to Maj. Regina Winchester, a
Pentagon-based spokeswoman for the Air Force.
The first phase of the
three-phase contract will be for eight satellites to be delivered
by 2013, the second phase, for eight satellites by 2016 and the
third phase, an additional 16 satellites by 2019, according to the
Air Force. The total cost for this project has yet to be
determined.
According to the AP, roughly $4.26 billion has been designated
to GPS III research and development funding, excluding procurement
funding, based on the Bush administration's fiscal years 2008-2013
proposed budget.
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