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Air Force Successfully Launches Global Positioning System Satellite Built by Lockheed Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR STATION, FL, July 16th, 2000 -- A Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, CA, was successfully launched early this morning from Cape Canaveral Air Station, FL. This was the fourth successful launch of the new-generation replenishment spacecraft, designated GPS IIR. The Company will supply 16 more of these satellites to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA, over the next five years. The satellite launched this morning is officially known as GPS IIR-5, and will join 27 other operational GPS satellites now on orbit. This satellite will improve global coverage and will increase the overall health of the GPS constellation.

The Global Positioning System allows any user equipped with a GPS receiver to determine velocity and worldwide position ó latitude, longitude and altitude ó within a few meters. Both position data and velocity are given at a precise reference time. Although originally designed as a guidance and navigational tool for the military, GPS has proven beneficial in the fields of transportation, surveying, as well as search and rescue operations, and has created a tremendous demand in new commercial and civil markets.

The GPS IIR satellites are compatible with the current system but offer improved performance. Increased navigation accuracy and longer autonomous satellite operation without ground control corrections will improve service for the Air Force customer and other users.

In recent GPS IIR news, the President's 2001 budget request, unveiled earlier this year, builds in plans to accelerate GPS modernization. The budget, if approved by Congress, will allow the Space Systems team to provide improved capabilities sought by military and civilian users of the navigation system much sooner than previously envisioned. The new capabilities include additional military and civilian signals, increased signal power and the ability to reprogram spacecraft signals and power while on orbit. These improvements will provide for better resistance to enemy jamming and improved accuracy. Proposed work on the satellite modernization will be performed at the Space Systems - Valley Forge, PA facility.

Additionally, the Air Force recently announced a decision to initiate a new competition for the next generation GPS. The Space System's GPS team plans to participate in an architecture study to be initiated this year, leading to a competition for the design and production of the next series of GPS spacecraft, referred to as GPS III.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems -- Missiles & Space Operations, Sunnyvale, CA, is an operating company within Lockheed Martin Space Systems, headquartered in Denver, CO. It is a leading supplier of satellites to military, civil government and commercial communications organizations around the world. These spacecraft have enhanced military and civilian communications; provided new, extensive and timely weather data; studied the Earth and space; and furnished new data for thousands of scientists studying our planet and the space around it.

Jeffery Adams (408) 742-7606
Pager: (888) 916-1796
jeffery.adams@lmco.com