For decades, the Global Positioning System has been the backbone of the modern world. From stock trades to power grids, aircraft to smartphones, GPS delivers the precise positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) data that powers the activity of our daily lives.
The experts behind the technology say the constellation remains as vital and resilient as ever — and it’s entering its most advanced phase yet.
“GPS touches the lives of billions of people every day. It is as essential as cellular communication, the internet, or electricity,” said Malik Musawwir, Vice President of Navigation Systems at Lockheed Martin. “It’s not just navigation; it’s the pillar of our global economy and defense infrastructure.”
A Constellation Built to Last & Evolve
The U.S. Space Force currently operates satellites across four generations, from the early GPS IIR and IIR-M models, that have outperformed their initial 7.5-year design life, to today’s modernized GPS III spacecraft. The GPS constellation is operationally sound but needs the advanced capabilities of GPS III and GPS IIIF to support warfighters and commercial aviation.
The longevity of the GPS IIR and IIR-M satellites underscore one thing: reliability, but replenishment is well underway. “The system is healthy — and the new satellites are reinforcing it, not replacing it, which enhances the resiliency of GPS,” Musawwir said.
Over the past year, Lockheed Martin and the Space Force launched GPS III satellites SV07 and SV08; with SV09 and SV10 slated to follow. Each GPS III satellite brings eight times more anti-jamming power and M-Code, an encrypted military signal that strengthens accuracy and security for U.S. and allied forces.
Powering Through Interference with Enhanced Capabilities
Modern warfare demands assured access to trusted navigation signals. GPS delivers that via boosted M-Code, a higher-power version of the military signal that provides three times the strength of standard M-Code to resist jamming and spoofing.
The next major upgrade arrives with Regional Military Protection (RMP), on the upcoming GPS IIIF satellites. Musawwir said “RMP ensures warfighters have access to trusted PNT, even when adversaries attempt to deny it — it’s a game-changing capability for our troops and allies.”
Using a spot beam, RMP amplifies the signal up to 63 times, boosting anti-jam and anti-spoof capability performance and keeping signals resilient even in contested regions.
Beyond Navigation: Advancements in Search and Rescue
GPS IIIF’s next‑generation search‑and‑rescue (SAR) payload expands GPS’s humanitarian role. When activated, SAR locates distress beacons and guides rescuers to the exact coordinates, sending critical information to emergency responders and saving civilian lives.
Accelerating the Future
To meet growing demand and refresh the GPS constellation, Lockheed Martin and the Space Force have embraced new ways to accelerate launches. The Rapid Response Trailblazer initiative, for example, enabled GPS III SV07 to launch on an expedited schedule in late 2024.
At Lockheed Martin’s Colorado facility, production of the GPS IIIF spacecrafts is well underway, with a total of 12 satellites under contract. GPS IIIF extends previous generation capabilities such as M-code and L5 signal, while adding RMP, SAR, and the capacity to add new technology like optical cross-links. These cross-links would enable GPS IIIF satellites to share timing data directly in orbit, further increasing accuracy and resiliency.
A System That Endures
GPS remains essential to billions of users worldwide and Lockheed Martin is committed to delivering modernized capability that will ensure the constellation remains the world’s most reliable system for delivering PNT.
“The constellation is healthy, the modernization path is clear, and the capabilities we’re adding — from RMP to SAR — are transformative,” said Musawwir. “Lockheed Martin is ensuring GPS remains the world’s gold standard for positioning, navigation, and timing.”