Future GPS: The USA’s GPS-III Programs

Future GPS: The USA’s GPS-III Programs

GPS-III satellites, in conjunction with their companion OCX ground control, system are the Global Positioning System (GPS) future. They offer big advantages over existing GPS-II satellites and GCS, but most of all, they have to work. Disruption or decay of the critical capabilities provided by the USA’s Navstar satellites would cripple both the US military, and many aspects of the global economy, including the Transportation, Public Safety, Environment, Mapping, Surveying, Agriculture, Finance, and Communications applications shown below.

GPS III (Global Positioning System III)is a military communication satellite designed and being manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space Systems (LMSS) for the United States Air Force (USAF). It will supersede the existing GPS constellations used by military and civilian customers worldwide. The spacecraft is scheduled for launch atop either the Atlas V (401) or Delta-4M+ (4.2) vehicle in May 2014.

The satellite will provide modern anti-jam potentialities, superior system security, accuracy, reliability and meliorated position, navigation and timing (PNT) services. The integration of an international civil signal (L1C) will allow the spacecraft to be interoperable with global navigation satellite systems.

LMSS was awarded a $21.5m contract by the USAF in January 2012 to execute launch and checkout capability (LCC) for all GPS III satellites. The 40,000 square feet GPS III processing facility (GPF) was officially inaugurated by LMSS in February 2012 to develop and examine GPS III satellites.

Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX)

The OCX segment is being built by Raytheon under contract to the US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC). The OCX segment updates GPS command and control (C2) and mission management capabilities, transforming the focus of GPS operations from satellite C2, to user-oriented, effects-based operations. In addition, GPS OCX will facilitate additional civil signals (L1C, L2C and L5) and new signal structures (M-Code) to provide navigation integrity, improved accuracy and increased availability. OCX is built on a secure, service-oriented architecture that provides:

• Command, Control and Mission Management for all GPS II and III spacecraft (GPS IIR-M, IIF and GPS III)
• Control of all GPS signals, including modernized signals (M-code, L1C, L2C and L5)
• Robust Information Assurance to protect against evolving cyber threats
• Ability to plan and execute GPS NAVWAR missions
• Reduced sustainment costs through automation and efficient software architecture
• Flexibility to accommodate new functionality and evolving CONOPS
• Net-ready and Global Information Grid compliance to ensure warfighters have access to secure, valuable real-time system information

OCX will be delivered in increments.

1. OCX Block 1 will replace the existing command and control segment and support the mission operations of the initial GPS III satellites. This version will introduce the full capabilities of the L2C navigation signal. OCX Block 1 is scheduled to enter service in 2016.
2. OCX Block 2 will support, monitor, and control additional navigation signals, including L1C and L5. 
3. OCX Block 3 will support new capabilities added to future versions of GPS III. 

Any increments beyond OCX Block 3 will be phased to support future satellite generations.

The Parts are coming together

Raytheon Completes Significant Milestones for the GPS Ground Control Segment

The completion of the integrated baseline review and SCAMPI-B is an accomplishment of Raytheon, Boeing, ITT Industries, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Braxton Technologies, Infinity Systems Engineering and SRI International. Raytheon achieved the first milestone for the OCX program, satisfying the Air Force's System Requirement Review criteria, in February 2008.
Raytheon is currently under an 18-month, $160 million contract administered by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., for the first phase of the GPS OCX program.

Lockheed Martin GPS III Satellite Prototype Successfully Integrated With Raytheon OCX Ground Control Segment · Lockheed Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Sept. 23, 2013 – The prototype for Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]’s next generation GPS III satellite reached a major milestone on August 30 when it successfully established remote connectivity and communicated with the GPS Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX), being developed by Raytheon [NYSE: RTN], during a series of pre-flight tests.