US Air Force Announces selection of GPS III follow-on contract

The U.S. Air Force selected Lockheed Martin for a fixed-price-type production contract for 22 GPS III Follow-On satellites with a total estimated contract value up to $7.2 billion. “The world is dependent on GPS, from getting directions to getting cash from an ATM or trading on the stock exchange,” said Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. “These satellites will provide greater accuracy, and improved anti-jamming capabilities, making them more resilient.” Today, the Air Force operates a total of 77 satellites vital to national security that provide communications, command and control, missile warning, nuclear detonation detection, weather and GPS for the world. The Air Force’s acquisition strategy for this solicitation achieved a balance between mission success, meeting operational needs, opportunities for technology insertion, lowering costs and introducing competition for National Security Space missions. Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein said, “This investment in GPS III continues to advance our capabilities into the future.”www.lockheedmartin.com