USAF

The US Air Force has awarded a contract to Space ExplorationTechnologies (SpaceX) for global positioning system (GPS) III launch services.

Valued at around $82m, the National Security Space (NSS) launch services contract covers launch vehicle production, mission integration, and launch operations for a GPS III mission.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The NSS contract requires SpaceX to launch GPS III-2 satellite aboard its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, in May 2018 to support the navigation system for both military and civilian users.

USAF space programme executive officer lieutenant general Samuel Greaves said: "This GPS III launch services contract award achieves a balance between mission success, meeting operational needs, lowering launch costs, and reintroducing competition for National Security Space missions."

The satellite would provide improved anti-jamming capabilities, as well as improved accuracy for precision navigation and timing.

"This GPS III launch services contract award achieves a balance between mission success, meeting operational needs, lowering launch costs, and reintroducing competition for National Security Space missions."

It will incorporate the common L1C signal, which is compatible with the European Space Agency’s Galileo global navigation satellite system and compliment current services with the addition of new civil and military signals.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

SpaceX has won the contract by cutting down its costs by 40%, media sources reported citing Greaves.

The contract has been awarded under the current Phase IA procurement strategy, which reintroduced competition for national security space launch services.

Expected to be completed by July 2018, work under the contract will be carried out in Hawthorne, California; Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida and McGregor, Texas, US.

Image: A SpaceX Falcon 9 stands ready for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo: courtesy of losangeles.af.mil.

Airforce Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airforce Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.


Excellence in Action
Discover how Virtualitics is transforming mission readiness with explainable AI, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision intelligence across the U.S. Department of Defense through its AI-powered Integrated Readiness Optimization suite, for which it has won the Innovation and Business Expansion awards.

Discover the Impact