The contract extends more than a decade of ongoing work under the Space Force’s Architecture Evolution Plan, which has progressively upgraded the GPS ground network to improve reliability, resilience and overall capability. The latest agreement will ensure continued delivery of positioning, navigation and timing services to billions of users worldwide.
Under the deal, Lockheed Martin will support key phases of the GPS satellite life cycle, including launch, early orbit operations and eventual disposal of the next-generation GPS IIIF satellites. The company will also implement upgrades designed to strengthen the resilience and performance of the broader GPS enterprise, which underpins everything from precision military operations to financial systems, transport networks and utilities.
Lockheed Martin vice president of global communication and navigation, Christina Mancinelli, said the company’s longstanding involvement in the program reflects its ongoing commitment to operational reliability.
“For more than a decade, we’ve delivered and sustained GPS ground capability, continuously evolving the system to provide resilient, mission-proven services that support day-to-day warfighter operations,” she said. “This work reinforces our focus on delivering dependable capability to both defence users and the global community.”
The upgrades are expected to enhance end-to-end system performance, ensuring uninterrupted service for both national security and commercial applications. A key component of the contract will enable additional GPS IIIF satellites equipped with advanced M-Code signals to be deployed, significantly improving resistance to jamming and interference for military users.
The announcement comes as Lockheed Martin completes production of its GPS III satellite fleet, which already delivers substantially improved accuracy and resilience compared to earlier generations. The company has now shifted its focus to manufacturing the more advanced GPS IIIF satellites at its facility in Denver, Colorado.
These next-generation satellites will feature anti-jam signals up to 63 times more powerful than previous systems, marking a significant leap in capability for the GPS constellation and further strengthening its role in modern military operations and global infrastructure.
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