The Space and Missile Systems Centre of the Air Force Space Command has completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of its Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX). The PDR was completed on August 29 at the Intelligence and Information Systems centre owned by Raytheon, located in Aurora.
The PDR has established that the design of the OCX is stable and that it can be taken forward to the next stage of the contract. The new system which will replace the existingGPS control system, will not only be compatible to the constellations that are on-orbit, but will also control and command the new satellite groups namely the GPS III and GPS IIF. The system will also enhance the current signal functions. The new system will aim to reduce costs and time lags by effectively resolving the issues that have been identified during the initial stages. To achieve this goal, the system will be built on the back-to-basics principle, which includes consistent requirements, solid engineering systems and steady funds.
The versatile OCX will provide safe and reliable information to GPS users in the military, commercial and civil sectors. The Air Force Space Command endeavours to maintain a high standard in GPS in order to help military and civil users with positioning, timing and navigation.
Source: http://www.afspc.af.mil/index.asp