Raytheon [RTN] is “well underway” with Iteration 1.5, the primary work to support its Global Positioning System (GPS) Launch and Checkout System, according to a company spokeswoman.
The Launch and Checkout System enables the GPS III satellites to launch on schedule and conduct on-orbit checkout before the full GPS Operational Control System (OCX) delivery in 2015, according to a company statement. Raytheon spokeswoman Kim Warth said in a September email the Launch and Checkout System is scheduled to be completed in time to support the launch of GPS III in 2014, but would not specify when the company would complete Iteration 1.5. Warth said Tuesday delivery of the Launch and Checkout System would represent the end of Iteration 1.5.
Raytheon recently completed Iteration 1.4 Critical Design Review (iCDR) for OCX, the company said in an Aug. 1 statement. Raytheon said this demonstrates the OCX design is at a “high level” of maturity and is ready to support GPS III launch initiatives. Raytheon Business Development Executive for GPS OCX Stephen Moran told Defense Daily in a recent interview Iteration 1.4 represents “somewhere over 60 percent” of all the software for Blocks 1 and 2 of OCX. Moran said OCX is being built in “blocks” and inside Block 1 is seven iterations, due to a commercial best practice iterative software development process. Moran said Raytheon is currently under contract for Blocks 1 and 2.
Raytheon spokeswoman Kim Warth said the company is the prime contractor developing OCX for the Air Force while fellow contractor Lockheed Martin [LMT] is a prime contractor on space development. Raytheon is delivering the actual OCX system while Lockheed Martin is verifying it. Moran said while both companies have contracts for launch and checkout, Raytheon is delivering the actual system and Lockheed Martin is verifying the system.
OCX provides command, control and mission management for the GPS constellation, including IIR-M, IIF and the new GPS III satellites.