Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have successfully completed the first significant integration milestone between Raytheon's Global Positioning System (GPS) Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) and Lockheed Martin's GPS III satellite system.

On February 2, the joint team successfully exchanged satellite commands and telemetry data between the GPS III satellite simulator in Newtown, Pa., and the OCX development site in Aurora, Colo.

The integration of the two sites will facilitate development testing of the OCX system and allow early risk reduction testing of the ground-satellite interface in a test-like-you-fly configuration.

"The successful test of GPS OCX, with our partners at Lockheed Martin, is a testament to the solid engineering and design for both GPS OCX and GPS III," stated Ray Kolibaba, Raytheon's GPS OCX Program Manager.

"Working together, we are well on our way to launching the first GPS III satellite in 2014."

The GPS III program will affordably replace aging GPS satellites while improving capability to meet the evolving needs of military, commercial and civilian users worldwide.

"The first connectivity between the modernized space and control segments is a major milestone for the entire GPS enterprise," said Keoki Jackson, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Navigation Systems mission area.

"This achievement demonstrates the close partnership and carefully planned synchronization that will enable mission success for GPS III and OCX in the years to come."

In 2000, U.S. Congress authorized a GPS enterprise modernization project, commonly known as GPS III, to maintain and upgrade existing GPS capabilities.

The project involves new, more capable satellites and a flexible, secure control system that together will provide new civil and military navigation signals for both civilian and military users, and will improve accuracy, availability and resistance to jamming.