Article Posted on : - Apr 26, 2011

Global Positioning System satellites I, II and IIF. A Boeing photo

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA (BNS): Boeing’s GPS Operational Control Segment (OCS) has gained full operational status with the US Air Force 50th Space Wing, Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado.

OCS keeps the GPS system operational within specified accuracy to provide secure and precise navigation around the world for military, humanitarian and commercial applications, a Boeing statement said.

"The official acceptance of the Boeing-built OCS marks the first time in more than 20 years that a GPS control system has been deployed for use by the Air Force," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems.

The OCS system -- designed to improve operations and provide new capability to GPS users -- uses its distributed, open software and hardware architectures to increase operator efficiency, and the accuracy of positioning, navigation and timing, Boeing said.

The Boeing-led team, consisting of Lockheed Martin, Braxton Technologies and A I solutions, supported the Air Force in completing a comprehensive series of operational tests and evaluations that began in 2007, when the Air Force transitioned satellite operations from the previous system to OCS.