Lockheed Martin announced Monday that it has provided the bus real time simulator for the Global Positioning System Block III satellite program. This is the first contract deliverable for GPS III, stated the company’s release. Lockheed, which leads the industry team developing GPS III for the Air Force, said it delivered the BRTS from its facility in Newtown, Pa., to industry partner Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, Calif., back in September. BRTS acceptance testing concluded within a week of delivery. BRTS is a specialized piece of test equipment that will allow Aerospace Corporation engineers to independently validate GPS III bus flight software and test and confirm the satellite’s guidance and navigation functions, according to Lockheed. The Air Force and Lockheed’s team recently completed the GPS III critical design review. The first launch of a GPS III satellite is scheduled for 2014.
The Air Force announced a successful ejection seat test for its T-7A trainer, and an official told lawmakers the service expects the jet to achieve initial operating capability by November 2027—two signs of progress for the program.