GPS GAB: Rockwell Collins delivers 10,000th GPS engine for GB-GRAM program

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Rockwell Collins delivers 10,000th GPS engine for GB-GRAM program

From: Rotor.com

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Oct. 18, 2006) – Rockwell Collins has delivered the 10,000th Global Positioning System (GPS) engine for the U.S. Army’s GPS receiver application module (GB-GRAM) program, providing the warfighter with enhanced capabilities in an ever-changing battlespace. Rockwell Collins received the $30 million contract for this program in 2003.

Representatives from the Navstar GPS Wing attended a ceremony marking the milestone at the Rockwell Collins Coralville plant. Receiving commemorative coins from the company were GB-GRAM Program Manager Dave Williamson, Capt. Veronica Harris and Deputy Program Manager Don Manlove.

“GPS capabilities are integrated into nearly all facets of U.S. military operations. This technology has proven exceptionally effective as our warfighters face an enemy embedded in remote environments,” said Ron Hornish, vice president and general manager of Sensor Systems for Rockwell Collins. “Our ability to deliver this technology to the military on time and on budget reinforces our reputation as a trusted provider.”

Activities such as mapping, situational awareness, rendezvous operations, geodetic surveying, and search and rescue operations have all benefited greatly from the accuracy of GPS. In recent conflicts, GPS-aided Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) using GB-GRAM have shown unprecedented reconnaissance and surveillance accuracy, resulting in improved military capability while providing for efficient deployment of force into hostile environments.

GB-GRAM is a NAVSTAR GPS Wing initiative to migrate towards an open system architecture for ground-based embedded military applications and is in communications and weapons platforms across the military.

Under the GB-GRAM contract, Rockwell Collins is providing its low cost 12-channel Miniature Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR) Engine Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) (MPE-S), a small, lightweight, third generation GPS receiver. The MPE-S offers geolocation and precise positioning capabilities for military navigation, tactical communications, battlefield computing and other C4I Command, Control, Computers, Communication and Information) equipment.

Additional features include field reprogrammability, dual frequency and direct-Y acquisition/reacquisition capability, and extended jamming protection performance.

Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronics solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications and information management is strengthened by 17,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.