Boeing has issued a statement declaring its intent to pursue the contract for the first eight next generation Global Positioning System satellites. These first GPS III sats are considered Block A and would be followed by increments B and C under USAF’s new block acquisition approach. Space and Missile Systems Center released the GPS III request for proposals last week. Boeing has produced earlier versions of GPS satellites, with launch of its GPS IIF sats set to begin next year. Lockheed Martin has been competing with Boeing for the GPS IIIA award, potentially valued at $1.8 billion.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.