"The fully modernized IIF will ensure the implementation of the latest technology into the GPS constellation," said John Fuller, executive director, Air Force Space Systems, for Boeing. "This is an essential part of supporting the warfighter and providing increased civilian capability for decades to come." Boeing is currently building the first three GPS IIF satellites with options for up to twelve.

With the first satellite scheduled for a mid-2006 launch, the GPS-IIF series is designed for flexibility and growth, enabling new capabilities, including improved anti-jam, increased accuracy, higher integrity and critical secure operational military codes.

"In addition to building the GPS IIF satellites, Boeing is responsible for the development of the new GPS operational control segment (OCS), which continuously maintains the constellation of satellites," said Mike Rizzo, director of Navigation Systems, Air Force Space Systems, for Boeing. "The OCS currently supports the GPS IIA and IIR series of satellites, and will also sustain the upcoming IIF series."

The GPS program is managed by a joint program office at the U.S. Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., and by Boeing Air Force Systems, Long Beach, Calif., a business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

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