The strength of the Global Positioning System (GPS) can be found in the diversity of industry sectors benefiting from this critical public resource. From the construction industry to agriculture to aviation, GPS receivers come in many shapes and sizes. Last week, the GPS Innovation Alliance (GPSIA), in collaboration with allied associations and the bipartisan House GPS Caucus, hosted the first-ever “GPS Tech Demo Day” on Capitol Hill. The event offered an opportunity to showcase the diversity of GPS-enabled technologies, with demonstrations and displays from six leading companies.
During this three-hour event, many attendees learned more about the new generation of Lockheed Martin’s GPS satellites, known as GPS III, which include L3Harris Technologies-built positioning, navigation and timing payloads that provide the GPS signal.
Visitors of Garmin’s exhibit were treated to a wide range of products including consumer wearables, cycling and golf devices, handheld satellite communicators, and GPS receivers used by the aviation and marine sectors. Garmin also displayed a video highlighting its just-announced Autoland autonomous landing technology for general aviation aircraft. Finally, Collins Aerospace highlighted their long legacy with GPS technology (the first GPS signal ever received was from the roof of their facilities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa) as well as their current military and commercial GPS products.
During the event, attendees heard remarks from GPS Caucus co-chair Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA), who discussed the importance of GPS to the agriculture community. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) recognized the men and women of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron, based at Schriever Air Force Base —the district in which he represents —and the role they play in ensuring the continuous availability, accuracy, reliability and resiliency of GPS.
GPSIA is grateful to our allied association partners, CompTIA’s Space Enterprise Council, the Aerospace Industries Association and the Space Foundation who helped make the inaugural demo day a success.
https://www.gpsalliance.org/post/gpsia-hosts-inaugural-gps-tech-demo-day-on-capitol-hill