DENVER - Lockheed Martin has announced that the GPS III spacecraft are now in full rate production. With full rate production achieved, the second GPS III satellite is now assembled and preparing for environmental testing, and the navigation payload has just been integrated onto the third satellite.
The second GPS III spacecraft entered single line flow in May. During single line flow, Lockheed Martin technicians successfully integrated its system module, propulsion core and antenna deck. GPS III SV02 smoothly came together through a series of carefully-orchestrated manufacturing maneuvers utilizing a 10-ton crane.
While the USAF originally planned to order all GPS III satellites from Lockheed Martin, the service now plans to reopen the competition. Lockheed Martin is under contract to build 10 spacecraft. However, in May 2016, the Air Force awarded production feasibility assessment three contracts to study production feasibility with Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. One of the three companies will eventually be selected to build 22 satellites.
No matter which company receives the contract to build the remaining GPS III spacecraft, deliveries will continue at a steady pace. Satellites will need to continue to be launched to maintain global navigation coverage as older satellites reach the end of their useful lifespans.
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