Boeing today submitted its proposal to the US Air Force for the development and production of up to 12 Global Positioning System (GPS) III satellites. The enhanced spacecraft will offer positioning service that is 10 times better than today''s system as well as improved anti-jamming capabilities for the warfighter.

"Boeing''s GPS III offering builds on our proven 34-year GPS partnership with the US Air Force," said Howard Chambers, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "Our best value offer brings together the best of Boeing''s space-based navigation and communications capabilities, including our integrated GPS space and control segment experience, to deliver a low-risk, high-value program to the US Air Force."

Working with the US Air Force for more than two years on risk reduction demonstrations and detailed plans, Boeing completed a successful System Design Review for the next-generation GPS satellite constellation earlier this year. Boeing also validated the technology readiness of its low risk, heritage-based flexible payload architecture to meet future GPS III performance requirements in an end-to-end demonstration in July.

Boeing will continue its current GPS III system definition and risk reduction contract effort in parallel with the Air Force''s source selection process to preserve continuity and ensure the program launches the first constellation in mid-2013, as scheduled.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world''s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.4 billion business with 72,000 employees worldwide.