Lockheed Martin announced that the U.S. Space Force has awarded the company a $514 million contract to build Global Positioning System IIIF Space Vehicles 23 and 24, bringing its total GPS IIIF commitment to 14 spacecraft.

With legacy spacecraft past their intended design life, this award marks a vital step in the continued modernization of the constellation. The 14 upcoming GPS IIIF satellites will deliver advanced, reliable positioning, navigation and timing capabilities for both military and civilian users. IIIF capabilities include: 

• The Regional Military Protection capability that provides a 63-fold increase in anti-jam capabilities, allowing warfighters to access strong GPS signals in contested environments
• Additional M-Code-enabled satellites, allowing for secure GPS connection for warfighters
• A digital navigation payload, increasing accuracy and reliability of IIIF spacecraft.

“Modernizing the constellation with highly resilient, next-generation space vehicles ensures warfighters have access to the GPS capabilities they require for their missions,” said Christina Mancinelli, vice president of global communications and navigation at Lockheed Martin. “We continue to invest in advanced technology, facilities and the people who are the driving force in the production of this spacecraft that help our military secure peace.”

Earlier this year, all Lockheed Martin-made GPS III satellites reached orbit. GPS III SV09 and SV10 each launched on accelerated timelines, bringing unprecedented levels of resiliency to the constellation.

The GPS constellation provides critical positioning, navigation and timing capabilities to key warfighter platforms made by Lockheed Martin. For example, the F-35 uses GPS to determine its exact location, keep its systems perfectly synchronized and share real-time position data with other assets, enabling autonomous navigation and pinpoint strike capabilities. Similarly, the UH-60 Black Hawk employs GPS to navigate accurately, deconflict with ground and air forces and deliver cargo or weapons with high precision, enhancing mission safety and effectiveness.

For civilians, the GPS constellation underpins banking transactions, telecommunications networks, emergency-response services, and everyday navigation. The new GPS IIIF satellites broadcast all civil signals including the interoperable L1C and L5  at greater accuracy and reliability. GPS IIIF satellites are engineered for resiliency. Starting with SV13, these spacecraft are built on the evolved LM2100 Combat Bus, providing increased cyber-hardening, improved spacecraft power, propulsion and electronics. The LM2100 Combat Bus is also outfitted with additional size, weight and power to accommodate future capability insertions.

The company has already completed the core mate milestone marking the official “birth” of a satellite for three GPS IIIF satellites, with all other IIIF satellites in different phases of production. The company was also recently awarded a $105 million contract to continue modernization of the GPS ground segment. With these contracts, Lockheed Martin reaffirms its long-term commitment to a resilient, high-performance GPS constellation that supports billions of users worldwide. Lockheed Martin continues to advance GPS IIIF production at its Denver area facilities, employing emerging technologies such as augmented reality and digital twins to accelerate build rates and ensure capabilities are delivered to the warfighter quickly.

Click here to learn more about Lockheed Martin's Space Capabilities