The US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center has awarded Raytheon, global technology company, a $27.4 million contract for the development of GPS Launch and Checkout System (LCS). The LCS will prove vital during the launch and checkout of the GPS III satellites during the launch, currently scheduled in 2014.
In February 2010, Raytheon was awarded the Next-Generation GPS Control Segment (OCX) contract by the US Air Force with the objective of replacing the older GPS Operational Control System. The delivery date as per the contract is 2015. The initial 73-month contract represents two developmental stages of the OCX, designed to positively impact GPS capabilities. The contract includes installation of software and hardware at GPS control stations located in California and Colorado, deployment of cutting-edge monitor stations at remote locations and support with option for sustainment for a period of five years. The delivery of the Raytheon LCS solution will enable the launch of the GPS III satellites and perform the on-orbit checkout, as scheduled, before the delivery of the Raytheon GPS OCX.
The program manager for GPS OCX at Raytheon’s Intelligence and Information Systems, Ray Kolibaba stated that the delivery of the OCX-based solution will provide risk reduction opportunities on the GPS III satellite program as well as on the deployment of GPS OCX. The GPS Launch and Checkout System, will aid in quick identification and mitigation of the risks in the launch and checkout operations and thus help in resolving anomalies before the launch of the first GPS III satellite.
Raytheon, headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a defense-based technology innovator providing mission systems to government markets and the US homeland security. The company also develops integrated systems required for crucial missions.
Source: http://www.raytheon.com