Experimental satellite navigation program passes PDR
NewsFebruary 06, 2020
MELBOURNE, Fla. L3Harris Technologies and the U.S. Air Force’s Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) project has passed the preliminary design review (PDR) that defines the spacecraft’s path to delivery and allows the program to move to the next phase of development.
NTS-3 is an experimental program examining ways to improve the resiliency of the military’s positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities. It will also develop technologies relevant to the Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation, with the goal of future transition to the GPS IIIF program.
In collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space and Missile Systems Center, and U.S. Space Force, L3Harris is combining experimental antennas, flexible and secure signals, increased automation, and use of commercial command-and-control assets.
The Space Enterprise Consortium selected L3Harris for the $84-million contract in 2018 as the prime system integrator to design, develop, integrate, and test NTS-3, including ground mission applications.
