Harris Corporation Delivers Navigation Payload for U.S. Air Force’s Seventh GPS III Satellite

Highlights:

  • Continues delivery momentum with seventh of 10 advanced GPS III satellite navigation payloads
  • Boosts GPS III’s signal power, accuracy, flexibility and lifespan
  • Leverages 40-plus year legacy for more powerful, fully digital MDU on GPS III follow-on satellites

Harris Corporation has delivered the seventh navigation payload for installation on the Lockheed Martin-built GPS III satellite. (Photo courtesy: Lockheed Martin)

MELBOURNE, Fla.--()--Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has provided Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) with its seventh of 10 advanced navigation payloads contracted for the U.S. Air Force’s GPS III satellite program.

The GPS III navigation payload features a Mission Data Unit (MDU) with a unique 70-percent digital design that links atomic clocks, radiation-hardened processors and powerful transmitters – enabling signals up to three times more accurate than any GPS satellites currently in operation. The payload also boosts signal power, which increases jamming resistance by eight times and helps extend the satellite’s lifespan.

In 2017, Harris announced that it completed development of an even more-capable, fully digital MDU for the Air Force’s GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) program. The new GPS IIIF payload design will further enhance the satellite’s capabilities and performance.

In September 2018, the U.S. Air Force selected Lockheed Martin for a fixed-price-type production contract for up to 22 GPS IIIF satellites. Harris is Lockheed Martin’s navigation signal partner for GPS IIIF satellites, and in January received a $243 million award to provide the navigation signals for the first two GPS IIIF satellites, space vehicles 11 and 12.

Harris’ expertise in creating and sending GPS signals extends back to the mid-1970s – providing navigation technology for every U.S. GPS satellite ever launched. While the Air Force originally developed GPS for warfighters, millions of people around the world and billions of dollars of commerce now depend on the accurate, reliable signal created and sent by Harris navigation technology.

About Harris Corporation

Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers’ toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports government and commercial customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business segments: Communication Systems, Electronic Systems and Space and Intelligence Systems. Learn more at harris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements about payload capabilities and future payload deliveries are forward-looking and involve risk and uncertainties. Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contacts

Kristin Jones
Space and Intelligence Systems
kristin.jones@harris.com
571-419-4718

Jim Burke
Harris Corporation
jim.burke@harris.com
321-727-9131

Contacts

Kristin Jones
Space and Intelligence Systems
kristin.jones@harris.com
571-419-4718

Jim Burke
Harris Corporation
jim.burke@harris.com
321-727-9131