Lockheed Martin.

A Lockheed Martin-led team has begun production activities to reconfigure a modernised Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite to include a new demonstration payload that will temporarily transmit a third civil signal following a successful review with the Air Force. Lockheed Martin and its navigation payload supplier ITT, Clifton, N.J., are proceeding on-schedule under a $6-million contract awarded by the Air Force in April 2007 to develop and integrate a payload that will provide an on-orbit demonstration capability for the new civil signal. The signal, located on the L5 frequency (1176.45MHz) will comply with international radio frequency spectrum requirements. Future generations of GPS spacecraft will include an operational third civil signal to improve the accuracy and performance capabilities of the system. The Block IIR-M spacecraft' with the demonstration payload is planned for launch in 2008.