The Air Force is set to map out an acquisition strategy for its Global Positioning System satellite program, and it could include a competition for the next batch beginning in 2018.
According to a Reuters article, David Madden, executive director of the Air Force’s Space and Missiles Systems Center, said he expected work on the multibillion-dollar program beginning in 2016, with a focus being high-power satellites with anti-jamming components.
The GPS satellite network provides military and civilian users with consistent, worldwide position, navigation and timing information.
Lockheed Martin is under contract to build eight GPS III satellites, with a contract extension for satellites nine and 10 imminent, while companies including Boeing, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics have expressed interest in competing to add components to the constellation. The Air Force’s 2016 budget plan includes $7.1 billion for space programs, including funding through satellite 10 and research and development funds for future sensors and ground control systems.
The structure of the new plan, which would release a formal request for proposals in 2018, would look for companies able to be involved in preliminary design work to speed the evaluation process, and Madden said the Air Force hoped to get Pentagon approval to buy multiple satellites at once to drive down prices.
