Lockheed Martin Declares GPS IIR-M Operational

Lockheed Martin, a company engaged in manufacturing, integration and advanced technology systems, has announced that the modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR satellite, has been declared fully operational for military and civilian navigation users around the globe, following a successful on-orbit checkout by a combined US Air Force/Lockheed Martin team.

The satellite, designated GPS IIR-17M, is the fourth in a series of eight Block IIR-M satellites that bring new capabilities to military and civilian users of the GPS system. Each Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite features a modernized antenna panel that provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti- jamming capabilities for the military, and a second civil signal that will provide users with an open access signal on a different frequency.

Don Gryse, vice president of Navigation Systems of Lockheed Martin, said: “With a disciplined approach, proven processes and a strong industry-government partnership, the team once again demonstrated its ability to rapidly move another high-performance GPS IIR-M spacecraft into operations for the user.”