Home > Transportation & Automobile > Aviation & Aerospace System > News

Boeing Assembles GPS IIF Satellites Using 'Pulse' Manufacturing Line

4/7/2012

Boeing is accelerating the assembly of its Global Positioning System (GPS IIF) satellites through the use of a pulse-line manufacturing approach. This process was adapted from the Boeing 737 airplane production line.

"Using this pulse-line approach, we are able to build up to six satellites per year," says Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. "This is the highest satellite production rate in Boeing history, and it ensures we will deliver the remaining GPS IIF satellites on schedule."

Boeing is currently under contract for a total of 12 GPS IIF satellites for the US Air Force. Two are in orbit; two have been completed and are being stored until launch; and eight are in various stages of pulse-line production.

The next GPS IIF launch is scheduled during the third quarter of 2012. Boeing says it is prepared to deliver several GPS IIF satellites within the next year.

"Similar to an aircraft assembly line, the GPS IIF pulse line efficiently moves a satellite from one designated work area to the next at a fixed rate," says Jan Heide, GPS IIF program director. "Within the four pulse-line work centers, we've incorporated lean manufacturing processes, new tooling, and additional work-planning packages to improve efficiency and reduce cost."

The GPS pulse line can accommodate four satellites at any given time. Wait time between tasks is reduced or eliminated by staging necessary parts and tools at the point of use at each workstation, creating a smooth process flow. Along the pulse line, satellites flow to work centers dedicated to four manufacturing stages: vehicle assembly, initial test, thermal-vacuum testing, and final test. The line delivers one space vehicle to storage every two to three months.

SABIC's Ultem* PEI Low moisture absorption foam offers major weight-out, performance & cost benefits vs. PMI for aerospace applications 10/28/2011

Spirit AeroSystems ships its first composite fuselage section panels for Airbus A350 XWB 10/28/2011

Boeing funds strategic carbon fibre recycling collaboration with the University of Nottingham 10/28/2011

DSM DYNEEMA COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF IP RIGHTS FROM HOFFMANN AIR CARGO EQUIPMENT 10/5/2011

Clariant enables Oslo Airport to recycle two-thirds of aircraft de-icer 9/16/2011

LMS and SAMTECH join forces for market leadership in global aerospace and automotive industries 8/26/2011

Benefits of deicer recyling, of Octagon acquisition, on show at inter airport 2011 8/8/2011

Airbus and European Space Agency to deliver keynotes at the 2011 LMS European Aerospace Conference 8/2/2011

Companies predict rising demand for composites in the aviation and aerospace industry 7/24/2011

Aviation & Aerospace System Exhibitions
	ASME SSDM 2026 6/8/2026 - 6/10/2026 Los Angeles CA, United States
	AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 6/8/2026 - 6/12/2026 San Diego CA, United States
	APEX FTE EMEA 2026 6/9/2026 - 6/11/2026 Dublin, Ireland
	ILA Berlin 2026 6/10/2026 - 6/14/2026 Berlin, Germany
	AERO South Africa 2026 6/10/2026 - 6/12/2026 Johannesburg, South Africa
More Trade Shows