DENVER, — June 16, 2026 : Lockheed Martin has secured a $514 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to manufacture two additional next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, designated GPS IIIF Space Vehicles (SV) 23 and 24. The award increases the company's total production commitment to 14 GPS IIIF spacecraft and supports the ongoing modernization of the U.S. GPS constellation as older satellites continue to exceed their original design lifespans.
The GPS IIIF program is designed to enhance positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services for military and civilian users worldwide. The new satellites will introduce upgraded capabilities aimed at improving accuracy, reliability, security and operational resilience.
Advanced Military Capabilities
The GPS IIIF satellites will provide several significant improvements for military operations, particularly in contested environments where navigation signals may face interference or disruption.
One of the key enhancements is the Regional Military Protection (RMP) capability, which delivers a high-powered, focused M-Code signal over specific geographic regions. According to Lockheed Martin, this feature offers approximately 63 times greater anti-jamming capability than legacy GPS systems, helping U.S. and allied forces maintain secure access to navigation services during operations.
The satellites will also expand M-Code coverage by adding more encrypted and anti-spoofing signals for military users operating on land, at sea and in the air. In addition, a fully digital navigation payload will improve positioning accuracy, signal strength and overall system reliability compared to previous generations of GPS satellites.
These capabilities support a range of military platforms. Lockheed Martin noted that the F-35 Lightning II uses GPS for autonomous navigation, system synchronization and real-time data sharing, while the UH-60 Black Hawk relies on GPS for flight navigation, cargo and weapons delivery, and mission coordination.
Civilian Applications
Beyond military operations, the GPS IIIF satellites will continue to support critical civilian infrastructure that depends on accurate and uninterrupted GPS services. These include banking and financial transactions, telecommunications networks, emergency response systems, transportation, agriculture and everyday navigation services.
The satellites will broadcast all standard civil GPS signals, including the highly interoperable L1C and L5 frequencies. These signals are expected to provide improved accuracy, reliability and compatibility for users around the world.
In addition to navigation services, the GPS IIIF satellites will carry hosted payloads, including laser retroreflector arrays, search-and-rescue capabilities and other sensor technologies.
Upgraded Satellite Architecture
Beginning with SV13, all GPS IIIF satellites are being built on Lockheed Martin’s evolved LM2100 Combat Bus platform. The upgraded architecture provides enhanced cyber-hardening against modern digital threats, improved power generation and propulsion systems, and increased size, weight and power margins to accommodate future technology upgrades and mission requirements.
The additional capacity is intended to support long-term modernization efforts and allow the spacecraft to incorporate future capabilities as operational needs evolve.
Production Progress
Production of the GPS IIIF satellites is underway at Lockheed Martin facilities in the Denver area. The company has already completed the “core mate” milestone—considered the formal structural integration and official beginning of a satellite’s assembly—for several spacecraft, including SV11, SV13 and SV14. Other satellites in the program are progressing through various stages of manufacturing and integration.
To improve production efficiency and accelerate delivery schedules, Lockheed Martin is using advanced manufacturing technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and digital twin systems. These tools enable engineers and technicians to streamline assembly processes while maintaining precision and quality standards.
The company has also completed production of all 10 GPS III satellites. Earlier in 2026, the final GPS III spacecraft, SV10, successfully reached orbit, completing that phase of the program.
Broader GPS Modernization Effort
The latest contract forms part of a wider effort to modernize both the space and ground segments of the GPS network. In addition to the $514 million satellite award, Lockheed Martin recently received a separate $105 million contract to support GPS IIIF launch, early-orbit and disposal operations, as well as modernization of ground control infrastructure.
The GPS IIIF program operates under the original 2018 contract, which includes options for up to 22 satellites. Launches of the GPS IIIF series are expected to begin in 2027 and continue through the mid-2030s, ensuring a steady deployment of advanced spacecraft to maintain and strengthen the GPS constellation.
Christina Mancinelli, vice president of global communications and navigation at Lockheed Martin, said the modernization effort is intended to ensure military users continue to have access to secure and resilient GPS capabilities while supporting the global user base that depends on the system every day.
The latest awards reinforce Lockheed Martin’s role in advancing the next generation of GPS infrastructure, which serves military operations and billions of civilian users worldwide.
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