Raytheon has been awarded a $32.2 million U.S. Navy contract for the Global Positioning System-based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Service program for Navy surface and subsurface platforms.

GPNTS, designed to replace the current Navigation Sensor System Interface, supports mission-critical real-time positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) data services, including weapons, combat systems, and other command, control, communications and intelligence systems that require PNT information.

Raytheon is providing an open architecture solution that allows hosting of data in a common computing environment and true "system of systems" architecture, enhancing the ship's operability with onboard systems.

"By leveraging our extensive ship systems and integration experience, we were able to offer an affordable, low-risk solution to our Navy customer," said Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' (IDS) Kevin Peppe, vice president of Seapower Capability Systems.

"Our experience leading large, complex ship integration programs, including LPD 17, DDG 1000 and the open architecture Ship Self-Defense System, makes us uniquely qualified to deliver this critical capability to the fleet."

The contract follows successes Raytheon has achieved with the Next Generation Navigation System (NAVDDX) produced as part of the DDG 1000-class destroyer program, for which Raytheon is the prime contractor for mission systems equipment.

NAVDDX is a modern open architecture solution that distributes navigation and high-precision time data to ship mission systems.

Under the GPNTS contract, Raytheon IDS will be responsible for the design, development, testing and delivery of GPNTS.

The company has partnered with Argon ST, an experienced provider of systems and sensors for the command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance markets. Raytheon will also leverage the capabilities and expertise of small business partners.

Work on the contract will be performed at Raytheon IDS' Expeditionary Warfare Center, San Diego, Calif., and Argon ST's facility in Fairfax, Va.