L3Harris experimental satellite on track for US Air Force critical design review

摘要

The L3Harris-built Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) platform is on track for a critical design review (CDR) by the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), after the GPS satellite testbed cleared a preliminary design review by air force officials in February. "It is basically the forerunner for the next-generation of capability in GPS satellites," said Bill Gattle, president of space systems at L3Harris' space and airborne systems division. The programme's development was financed under a 40-month contract with AFRL that began in February 2019. The company is anticipating an NTS-3 launch date within the next two years, Gattle told Jane's on 18 February. "It will fly here in the next 28 months," once the programme clears CDR, he said, noting that the company's long-term plans are to field a total of nine NTS-3 satellites, creating a constellation-sized fleet.