GPS Block IIF Satellites Finish Environmental Tests

Environmental tests of the first of 12 Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellites have been successfully completed Boeing announced today. The series of acoustic tests were designed duplicate the high noise levels the occur during the spacecraft's launch. The firm reports that the first satellite will be delivered to the U.S. Air Force later this year. The IIF group of GPS satellites are an upgrade of the original GPS design and feature three civilian signals.

Back in May, Boeing’s bid to design and build the next generation GPS satellites known as GPS IIIA, was rejected by the U.S. Air Force in favor of a one submitted by rival Lockheed Martin. That contract could be worth up to $3.5 billion.