The U.S. Air Force has formally accepted the first Global Positioning System (GPS) III satellite from prime contractor Lockheed Martin [LMT], the company announced Oct. 10.

The “available for launch” milestone clears the way for the spacecraft, which is in storage, to lift off in 2018, Lockheed Martin said.

Artist's rendering of a GPS III satellite. Image: Lockheed Martin.
Artist’s rendering of a GPS III satellite. Image: Lockheed Martin.

Lockheed Martin is building a total of 10 GPS III satellites, which are designed to replenish the GPS constellation and provide more accurate signals, be more resistant to jamming and last longer than the GPS spacecraft that are currently on orbit.

In July, the Air Force issued a draft request for proposals for up to 22 more GPS III satellites (Defense Daily, July 21). A final RFP is slated for release in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018.

Boeing [BA] and Lockheed Martin have both said they plan to compete for the next batch of GPS III satellites. Another potential contender, Northrop Grumman [NOC], has declined to comment.