Lockheed Martin announced Monday that it has provided the bus real time simulator for the Global Positioning System Block III satellite program. This is the first contract deliverable for GPS III, stated the company’s release. Lockheed, which leads the industry team developing GPS III for the Air Force, said it delivered the BRTS from its facility in Newtown, Pa., to industry partner Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, Calif., back in September. BRTS acceptance testing concluded within a week of delivery. BRTS is a specialized piece of test equipment that will allow Aerospace Corporation engineers to independently validate GPS III bus flight software and test and confirm the satellite’s guidance and navigation functions, according to Lockheed. The Air Force and Lockheed’s team recently completed the GPS III critical design review. The first launch of a GPS III satellite is scheduled for 2014.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
