FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2020
CONTACT: Kelly Miller
kmiller@bannerpublicaffairs.com

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2020 – Today, the GPS Innovation Alliance (GPSIA) announced Lockheed Martin as the newest member of the organization. Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest aerospace and defense contractor, joins member companies John Deere, Garmin, Trimble and Collins Aerospace as well as 11 national organizations who make up GPSIA’s affiliates program. As the newest member of GPSIA, Lockheed Martin will work with the Alliance to support its goals of heightening the awareness of the benefits of GPS technology – while advocating as the voice of the GPS industry in Washington.

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Lockheed Martin as the newest member of the GPS Innovation Alliance,” said GPSIA Executive Director J. David Grossman. “With a deep and rich history of championing GPS technology and as the leading contractor in developing the next-generation GPS III satellites, Lockheed Martin brings a wealth of experience to help the industry move boldly into the future. We look forward to working with their team and are enthusiastic about their valuable addition in our efforts to enhance GPS innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.”

 

Lockheed Martin has a strong heritage in designing, building and sustaining the U.S. Space Force’s Global Positioning System. The backbone of today’s GPS constellation, the company’s GPS IIR and IIR-M satellites, continue to deliver well beyond their design life. With its new GPS III/IIIF satellites, Lockheed Martin is helping modernize today’s GPS with more powerful and flexible, new technology, as well as advanced capabilities. The company’s first two GPS III satellites became operational on-orbit in January and April 2020.

 

Lockheed Martin’s positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) efforts do not end in space. Taking an end-to-end systems approach, the company also has been maintaining and upgrading the Space Force’s current GPS ground control system, introducing cyber-hardening and enhancements that not only allow the government to operate the more powerful GPS III satellites, but also will soon provide earlier access to secure Military Code (M-Code) to help accelerate testing and fielding of vital user equipment for our armed forces.

 

“The reality is almost every industry and individual now uses GPS’ positioning, navigation and timing signals every day, several times a day,” said Lockheed Martin Space Vice President of Navigation Systems Johnathon Caldwell. “GPS has become an incredible economic asset for the U.S., a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure and an invaluable tool for our armed forces. We are very pleased to join the GPSIA and its members on their GPS advocacy mission. As important as GPS is to our nation and world, we are dedicated to ensuring it is supported by the latest and greatest technology.”

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About GPS Innovation Alliance

The GPS Innovation Alliance was founded by Deere & Company, Garmin International, Inc. and Trimble Inc. The Alliance recognizes the ever-increasing importance of Global Positioning System (GPS) and other Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies to the global economy and infrastructure and is firmly committed to furthering GPS innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. The GPS Innovation Alliance seeks to protect, promote and enhance the use of GPS. For more information, please visit www.gpsalliance.org.

 

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. For additional information, visit: www.lockheedmartin.com.

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