Lockheed Hit by U.S. Air Force for More GPS III Satellite Flaws
- Subcontractor Harris Corp. tested wrong part in evaluation
- Air Force weighs whether to let Boeing, Northrop bid in future
GPS III computer rendering.
Source: USAFThis article is for subscribers only.
Botched testing by a Lockheed Martin Corp. subcontractor on a key component for the U.S.’s newest Global Positioning System satellites raises new questions about the No. 1 defense contractor’s supervision of the project, according to a top Air Force official.
The mistake by subcontractor Harris Corp. forced another delay in the delivery of the first of 32 planned GPS III satellites until later this month, according to Major General Roger Teague, the Air Force’s chief of space programs. That will make the $528 million satellite 34 months late, according to service data.