B: Applications

Senate Kills GPS OCX Funding Due to Cost Overruns — Now $5.3 Billion and Rising

The Senate Armed Services Committee zeroed out the Pentagon’s $393 funding request for the new GPS ground control system during its May 11 markup, asserting that the program’s cost overruns — with a total cost that may reach $5.3 billion, up from an original $1.5 billion — had breached the Nunn-McCurdy Act.

Under the act, such a breach could result in termination of the Next Generation Operational Control System or OCX unless the Secretary of Defense goes through an in-depth review of the program and personally certifies its critical importance.

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By Inside GNSS
May 6, 2016

SMC Announces Feasibility Assessment Contracts for Next Round of GPS III Satellite Competition

The USAF Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) announced today (May 5, 2016) the award of three contracts to support companies in preparing for the competition to build additional GPS Block III space vehicles (SVs).

The SMC’s GPS Directorate at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, will award one GPS III Phase 1 Production Readiness Feasibility Assessment contract to each of the following companies: Boeing Network and Space Systems, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, and Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.

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By Inside GNSS
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May 5, 2016

Trimble Introduces Multi-GNSS Module for System Integrators

Trimble has introduced its dual-antenna MB-Two GNSS module, which delivers GNSS-based heading plus pitch or roll in an industry-standard form factor for system integrators.

According to Trimble, the module’s embedded Z-Blade GNSS technology uses all available dual-frequency GNSS signals equally, without any constellation preference, to deliver fast and stable centimeter-accurate position and heading information. The MB-Two is designed as a solution for a variety of applications such as unmanned, agriculture, automotive, marine, and military systems.

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By Inside GNSS
April 28, 2016

KVH Reveals Plans to Build FOG Sensor for Self-Driving Cars

KVH Industries, Inc., says that it is developing a fiber optic gyro (FOG)–based, low-cost inertial sensor for self-driving cars, based on its successes in autonomous vehicle prototype programs and a wide range of unmanned applications.

The Middletown, Rhode Island–based company also announced that it has introduced a developer’s kit to support integration and testing of FOG-based inertial measurement units (IMUs) for driverless cars.

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By Inside GNSS
April 27, 2016

SpaceX Snares GPS III Launch Services Contract

The Air Force announced today (April 27, 2016) the award to Space Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) of an $82.7-million contract for GPS III Launch Services.

The Air Force characterized the contract as “the first competitively sourced National Security Space (NSS) launch services contract in more than a decade.” However, a decision last November by the United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed, not to compete for this GPS III launch effectively left SpaceX as the only bidder.

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By Inside GNSS

NovAtel Launches TerraStar-L Correction Service

NovAtel Inc. has announced the launch of its TerraStar-L, a new 40 centimeter precise point positioning (PPP) correction service. TerraStar-L is a subscription based correction service that delivers GNSS correction data via satellite to users of precision navigation systems.
 
The company says that position accuracy of 40 centimeters makes TerraStar-L ideal for broad accuracy applications such as agriculture, GIS or unmanned vehicle navigation, particularly where tree lines, buildings and other obstructions can be an impediment to continuous positioning.
 

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By Inside GNSS
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April 26, 2016

Harxon Introduces Datalink Radio for GNSS Positioning

Harxon Corporation has launched the HX-DU1603D, a high-speed, Bluetooth-enabled, wireless data link designed for GNSS/RTK surveying and precise positioning.
 
The HX-DU1603D is a lightweight, ruggedized UHF receiver designed for digital radio communications between 410 and 470 MHz in the radio frequency spectrum using either 12.5- or 25-kilohertz channels.
 

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By Inside GNSS
April 20, 2016

DHS Demonstrates eLoran Precision Timing Technology at the New York Stock Exchange

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced today (April 20, 2016)  the successful demonstration of Enhanced Loran (eLoran) for precision timing of financial transactions at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

The demonstration at the NYSE was hosted by Juniper Networks on April 19 and presented to technical representatives from the financial services, energy, and communication sectors.

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By Inside GNSS
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