Space Force begins testing of first OCX software blocks for GPS sats
A spokesperson for Space Operations Command (SpOC) explained that government-led testing now will commence, but that an updated operational acceptance date "is not yet available."
Space Force sees light at the end of the development tunnel for OCX, ATLAS
Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, who is the Department of the Air Force acting head for space acquisition, said the OCX ground system for GPS satellites has now made it through testing of 97 percent of its requirements.
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Calvelli’s biggest regret: New GPS ground system still non-operational
Outgoing DoD space acquisition czar Frank Calvelli told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview that he is confident the troubled OCX software will be up and running by year-end.
Peeking behind the veil: 5 revelatory space stories from 2024
This year saw evidence that a shift toward more openness about US national security space activities is coming whether those deep in the "black world" are ready or not.
Space Force scrambling to get GPS ground system upgrades done by 2025
The troubled OCX ground system to allow users access to the jam-resistant M-Code GPS signal will go into operational tests by the end of the year, and the Space Force also has shaken up its effort to field M-Code radios and receivers, said Cordell DeLaPena, who heads those programs for Space Systems Command.
Space RCO taps 20 firms for software to control maneuvering sats
"I'm not criticizing ATLAS, but on the record, if it doesn't get there on time, I'm gonna find an alternative, because that's why I exist," Space RCO Director Kelly Hammett told Breaking Defense.
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EXCLUSIVE: Space Systems Command head’s ‘action plan’ to focus on command structure, outreach
Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant told Breaking Defense that the long-troubled effort to upgrade the C2 system for space domain awareness is making progress — with the ATLAS software due to become operational "at the end of next year."
Jam-resistant GPS elusive as M-code delays pile up: GAO
To make matters worse, the Defense Department is now facing down a possible shortage of microchips and processor cards to allow ground vehicles, ships and aircraft to access GPS at all, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office.
HASC greenlights draft NDAA, sends $883B bill to full House
The $883.7 billion bill makes several major changes to President Joe Biden's FY25 budget request, including a more narrow approach to transferring Air National Guard units into the Space Force. But budgetary matters will ultimately be decided by congressional appropriators.
Space Force, NRO approach key milestone for GMTI as other programs fall behind: Calvelli
With apparent frustration with another program, Space Force acquisition chief Frank Calvelli asked, “What I don't get… [is] why would somebody want to have this sort of reputation-ruining stain in the papers all the time?”
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Ground system for jam-resistant GPS delayed again to July 2025 at earliest, Pentagon tester says
The continuing delays in making the GPS jam-resistant M-Code signal available to military users "increase risk that U.S. and allied warfighters will be unable to conduct successful operations in future contested environments due to the lack of access to modernized GPS position, navigation, and timing (PNT) information," the 2023 Annual Report of the Director of Operational Test & Evaluation finds.
For space, two steps forward, one step back: 2023 in review
The Space Force has made some visible progress in its "pivot" towards resiliency, but acquisition reform remains a hard slog.
Next-gen GPS ground system expected to come online this summer: Calvelli
"Big software developments fail," said Air Force space acquisition czar Frank Calvelli. "You have to go to smaller systems."
Space Force to implement Santa’s ‘naughty list’ of contractors for under-performance
If contractors are put on the Contractor Responsibility Watch List for failure to meet cost and schedule performance goals, the Space Force has "the ability at that point not to award them any new contracts."