The U.S. Air Force is preparing to launch an upgraded Global Positioning Systems (GPS) satellite built by Lockheed Martin aboard a Delta II rocket scheduled on Dec. 21, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The satellite, designated GPS IIR-10, features significant performance upgrades, including an advanced antenna panel, which will increase power for GPS receivers.

The Global Positioning System allows any properly equipped user to determine precise time and velocity and worldwide latitude, longitude and altitude to within a few meters. Although originally designed as a guidance and navigational tool for the military, GPS has proven beneficial in the commercial and civil markets for transportation, surveying and rescue operations.

There are eight new-generation GPS IIR spacecraft currently on orbit out of a total GPS constellation of 28 satellites. GPS IIR satellites are designed to improve global coverage and increase the overall performance of the GPS constellation. Lockheed Martin has delivered 21 of these satellites to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. After the IIR-10 mission, eleven more satellites will be launched to sustain the GPS constellation.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.

Media Contact: Steve Tatum, 408-742-7531; e-mail, Stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com

Low- and high-resolution JPEG image files of GPS IIR satellites are available

at: http://lmms.external.lmco.com/photos/military_space/ and click on GPS

For more information about Lockheed Martin Space Systems -- Sunnyvale, see our

website at http://lmms.external.lmco.com

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin