General Dynamics and ITT have been awarded contracts to develop a modernised space receiver (MSR) to allow low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to use GPS for positioning. The LEO satellites would use the new M-code GPS signals to determine their location.
The USA is currently deploying Block IIR-Modernised GPS satellites to upgrade the constellation and transmit the new military signals.
Under Phase A of the programme, both contractors will prepare competing proposals for full-scale development of the MSR, to be presented to US Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Center (SMC) in mid-2007. The SMC will then downselect to one contractor.
Source: Flight International
