The US Air Force recently received a proposal for developing the second phase of the advanced control segment (OCX) for its global positioning system (GPS).

The GPS provides the air force with position, navigation and timing services, and is also used for civilian purposes.

The air force plans to develop the OCX in collaboration with Northrop Grumman that had also been its partner in the first phase.

The OCX will augment the capability of the existing GPS satellites and control the next-generation GPS IIIA satellites with its information-assured, net-centric open design.

Once complete, the OCX will be put into operation by 2014.