Boeing Won Contract to Demonstrate High Integrity GPS

The US Naval Research Laboratory contract which involves demonstration of the High Integrity GPS technology concepts has been eventually awarded to the Boeing Company. The contract that is expected to run for a period of 2 years is worth $153.5 million. The company has been chosen partly due to its years of experience when it comes to supporting the operation of Iridium system, since it is able to integrate the system with GPS in a manner to create the first such combined navigation and communication "system-of-systems."

This presents an opportunity for Boeing to showcase their ability since the company claimed to have been working over the years to find new ways to maximize the effectiveness of GPS constellation.

The principle is based on the fact that High Integrity GPS effort utilizes 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.

According to David Whelan, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems chief scientist and vice president/deputy general manager, "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. 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."

However, Boeing Advanced systems will be working along sides with others in the High Integrity GPS project and these include Phantom Works, Iridium LLC, Rockwell Collins, Coherent Navigation, and experts from academia. Iridium Satellite LLC, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, operates the Iridium constellation to provide worldwide voice and data satellite communications services for the private sector and the U.S. government.