USAF has awarded Aerospace giant Boeing a $138 million contract to build three additional Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites under the GPS Block IIF contract. The GPS system is a space-based radio positioning system consisting of a constellation of 24 orbiting satellites. GPS provides two levels of service: a standard positioning service for general public business and recreational use and an encoded service that is primarily intended for use by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS IIF satellites will provide enhanced navigation support for both military and civilian users and will include a new dedicated L-5 signal approved by the government for civilian aviation.

The exercised option brings to 12 the number of Block IIF satellites
Boeing is building under contract to the military's NAVSTAR GPS joint
program office. Boeing expects that the first GPS Block IIF satellite,
known as SV-1, will be ready for delivery in 2007.