US Space Force to Launch Lockheed’s Next-Gen GPS III SV08 Satellite

The US Space Force is moving forward with plans to launch Lockheed Martin’s GPS III SV08 satellite, a next-generation navigation satellite designed to strengthen the resilience, accuracy, and performance of the country’s global positioning system. The satellite has already been delivered to the Space Force’s launch facility in Florida, where it is undergoing final checks before being launched into orbit in the coming months.

Once deployed, GPS III SV08 will become part of the growing operational GPS satellite constellation, which currently includes 31 active satellites. Each new satellite enhances the system’s global coverage, providing more reliable positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services for both civilian and military users around the world.

Lockheed Martin’s GPS III series represents a major leap forward in satellite navigation technology. Compared to older satellites, the GPS III models are three times more accurate and offer up to eight times greater protection against jamming. This increased resilience is especially important in today’s strategic environment, where adversaries are developing sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities to interfere with satellite-based systems.

The new satellite is part of a broader effort by the US Space Force to modernize the GPS network. Many of the existing satellites in orbit are operating well beyond their intended lifespan, making the infusion of new hardware critical to sustaining performance and ensuring uninterrupted service.

Military forces, in particular, rely heavily on the GPS system for precise operations in the field. Whether it's coordinating troop movements, guiding precision munitions, or managing complex logistics in contested environments, accurate and secure satellite navigation is a cornerstone of modern defense strategy.

Lockheed Martin’s advanced design also ensures future readiness. The GPS III satellites are built with a modular architecture, making them easier to upgrade as new technologies emerge or threats evolve. Beyond GPS III, Lockheed is already working on the GPS III Follow-On (GPS IIIF) series, which promises even more powerful features.

The GPS IIIF satellites will deliver up to 60 times more anti-jamming protection and will carry additional payloads, such as a laser retroreflector for improved geolocation and a dedicated search-and-rescue system. These enhancements are part of a long-term roadmap to make the GPS network more robust, flexible, and capable of supporting national security needs well into the future.

As the Space Force prepares to launch the GPS III SV08 satellite, it marks another step in strengthening the invisible infrastructure that keeps both military operations and civilian technologies running smoothly—from smartphones and car navigation systems to precision-guided weapons and battlefield coordination. The next chapter in satellite-based navigation is well underway, and it's being led from orbit.