Boeing has been awarded a $138 million option by the US Air Force to build three additional Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites under the GPS Block IIF contract.
The exercised option brings to 12 the number of Block IIF satellites Boeing is building under contract to the military's NAVSTAR GPS joint program office. Boeing expects that the first GPS Block IIF satellite, known as SV-1, will be ready for delivery in 2007.
According to Boeing, the GPS system is a space-based radio positioning system consisting of a constellation of 24 orbiting satellites. GPS provides two levels of service: a standard positioning service for general public business and recreational use and an encoded service that is primarily intended for use by the US Department of Defense. GPS IIF satellites will provide enhanced navigation support for both military and civilian users and will include a new dedicated L-5 signal approved by the government for civilian aviation.
In addition to building 12 Block IIF satellites, Boeing also is under contract to support the GPS ground segment. The value of this contract is approximately $800 million.
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