Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) said Tuesday that its team developing the next generation Global Positioning System III satellites has completed a major integration and test event on the program's satellite pathfinder, known as the GPS III Non-Flight Satellite Testbed (GNST).
The company said the milestone is a key indication that the GPS III team is on track to deliver the first satellite for launch availability in 2014.
Lockheed Martin said the GPS III program will affordably replace aging GPS satellites while improving capability to meet the evolving demands of military, commercial and civilian users worldwide.
GPS III satellites will deliver better accuracy and improved anti-jamming power while enhancing the spacecraft's design life and adding a new civil signal designed to be interoperable with international global navigation satellite systems.
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