Energy News  
Boeing Awarded Contract For GPS Enhancement Demonstration

The need to provide a more capable GPS for warfighters stems from the increasing sophistication of hostile jamming capabilities. GPS supports numerous military and civil applications, so the ability to jam the system presents a grave threat.
by Staff Writers
St. Louis MO (SPX) Aug 11, 2008
Boeing has been awarded a $153.5 million U.S. Naval Research Laboratory contract to demonstrate High Integrity Global Positioning System (GPS) technology concepts. The contract is expected to run through 2010.

The High Integrity GPS effort combines satellite signals from the Iridium Low Earth Orbit telecommunications system and GPS Mid Earth Orbit navigational satellites to enhance navigation availability, integrity, accuracy and jam-resistant capabilities for warfighters.

"High Integrity GPS is an effective near-term tool that will augment GPS satellites to provide critical new capabilities, including aggressive levels of additional anti-jam protection," said David Whelan, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems chief scientist and vice president/deputy general manager, Advanced Systems.

"Our research concluded that significant low-cost improvements to GPS can be achieved by using existing signal platforms and systems such as the Iridium constellation."

The need to provide a more capable GPS for warfighters stems from the increasing sophistication of hostile jamming capabilities. GPS supports numerous military and civil applications, so the ability to jam the system presents a grave threat.

"Boeing has been working over the years to find new ways to maximize the effectiveness of the GPS constellation," said Alex Lopez, vice president, Advanced Network and Space Systems. "With this integrated approach, we can increase the value of the current system by improving its operational mission-assurance capabilities."

Based on its years of experience supporting the operation of the Iridium system, Boeing is able to integrate the system with GPS in a manner to create the first such combined navigation and communication "system-of-systems."

The High Integrity GPS team includes Boeing Advanced Systems and Phantom Works, Iridium LLC, Rockwell Collins, Coherent Navigation and experts from academia.

Iridium Satellite LLC, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., operates the Iridium constellation to provide worldwide voice and data satellite communications services for the private sector and the U.S. government. Boeing has provided Iridium with systems engineering and constellation management functions since the system became operational in 2000.

Phantom Works is the advanced research and development unit of Boeing. Its charter is to provide innovative technology solutions that reduce cycle time and cost of aerospace products and services while improving their quality and performance.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Share This Article With Planet Earth
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit
YahooMyWebYahooMyWeb GoogleGoogle FacebookFacebook



Related Links
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
GPS Applications, Technology and Suppliers



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


San Diego State University Improves MEMS Accelerometer Tunability
San Diego CA (SPX) Jul 16, 2008
Researchers at San Diego State University have developed a new concept for improving MEMS accelerometer tunability. This method can increase wide-band tunability with ranges much larger than current practice, a significant improvement from the previously accepted 5-10%.







  • Oil prices turn bearish, but the bulls may yet return
  • Outside View: Going green in Europe
  • Iran in new oil money move to dodge sanctions: report
  • Russia bombing raid near oil pipeline: Georgian PM

  • US official urges nuclear suppliers to back US-India pact
  • Yucca Mountain cost estimate is increased
  • Race Is On For Civilian Nuclear Cooperation With India
  • Japan recognises India's need for nuclear power: official

  • Dutch town tests 'air-purifying' concrete
  • Scientists Search For Answers From The Carbon In The Clouds
  • Air Monitoring Helps Anticipate Possible Ecosystem Changes
  • Air Travelers And Astronomers Could Benefit From Atmospheric Turbulence Research

  • The Drivers Of Tropical Deforestation Are Changing
  • Forest fire hot spots almost double on Borneo: Indonesian official
  • Greenpeace protest targets Indonesian forestry ministry
  • Scientists warn forest clearing more harmful than thought

  • Ethical coffee helps save Peruvian rainforest
  • No Evidence To Support Organic Is Best
  • TAU Researchers Root Out New And Efficient Crop Plants
  • No-Tillage Plus

  • Compressed air cars eyed by industry
  • GM to export hybrid SUV to Europe, China, Middle East
  • Nissan Motor unveils new prototype electric car
  • Monash Fuels Next Gen Hybrid Cars

  • NASA evaluates new wing sensor
  • Russia And China May Co-Design New Passenger Plane
  • China Southern Airlines managers take paycut due to oil prices
  • Air China says it is to buy 45 Boeing aircraft

  • Nuclear Power In Space - Part 2
  • Outside View: Nuclear future in space
  • Nuclear Power In Space

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement