The current plan is for the first GPS IIIA systems to launch in May 2014. According to Lockheed Martin, when fully deployed, the GPS III constellation will feature a cross-linked command and control architecture, letting the entire GPS constellation be updated simultaneously from a single ground station. A new spot beam capability for enhanced military coverage and increased resistance to hostile jamming will be incorporated. These enhancements will contribute to improved accuracy and assured availability for military and civilian users worldwide. These satellites are expected to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 times more powerful than current systems.
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