Both Boeing and Lockheed Martin have submitted bids to build the next generation Global Positioning System satellites—GPS III. Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., issued the request for proposals in July. Boeing’s VP and general manager for space and intelligence systems, Howard Chambers, said in a statement that his company’s bid “builds on our proven 34-year GPS partnership with the US Air Force.” A Lockheed statement cited the company’s “proven record of providing progressively advanced spacecraft for the current GPS constellation. Lockheed’s executive VP for space systems, Joanne Maguire, said, “We understand the importance of this critical system and stand ready to extend our record of superior performance.”
After years of describing to lawmakers and Pentagon leaders the nature of that threat and the key role spacepower plays in deterring conflict in the domain and enabling the rest of the joint force, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman told reporters during AFA’s Warfare Symposium here that the message appears to…