The Space and Missile Systems Center on Feb. 25 awarded the contract for the next-generation GPS control segment, known as OCX, to Raytheon. The contract’s initial value is $886 million, with sustainment options that could take it to $1.5 billion over five years, according to an SMC release. Col. Dave Madden at SMC said, the “flexible architecture” OCX is “urgently needed not only to enable new warfighter capabilities but also to put the new GPS III space vehicles into mission operations.” Raytheon will develop and install hardware and software at control centers at Schriever AFB, Colo., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif., and deploy advanced monitor stations at remote sites. In a company release, Bob Canty, GPS VP and program manager, said, “By selecting Raytheon, the Air Force recognizes our experience and commitment to take GPS to the next level.” Raytheon had vied against Northrop Grumman for the OCX program.
Pentagon officials overseeing homeland counter-drone strategy told lawmakers that even with preliminary moves to bolster U.S. base defenses, the military still lacks the capability to comprehensively identify, track, and engage hostile drones like those that breached the airspace of Langley Air Force Base in Virginia for 17 days in December…