US Space Systems Command has used an option to order three more GPS IIIF satellites from Lockheed Martin. The satellites are the GPS IIIF-18, -19 and -20. The value of the add-on contract is US$744 million. The original US$7.2 billlion GPS-IIIF procurement contract with Lockheed Martin was signed in September 2018.
According to Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Air Force, which was originally in charge of GPS space assets, awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to build up to an additional 22 GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) space vehicles (SVs). The contract initially covered GPS IIIF SV15-17 but had later options which were excercised for GPS IIIF SV11-12 in 2018, SV13-14 in 2020, SV15-17 in 2021, and now this new order SV18-20 in November 2022. From SV13 the GPS IIIF incorporate the LM2100 Combat Bus, which has greater resiliency against cyber attacks, as well as having improved spacecraft power, propulsion and electronics. LM2100 Combat Bus spacecraft are also capable of hosting Lockheed Martin’s Augmentation System Port Interface (ASPIN), which would allow for future on-orbit servicing and upgrades.
Artists impression of GPS IIIF spacecraft. Courtesy: Lockheed Martin
