Lockheed Martin LMT 1.75%↑ has secured a $514 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to build the next two GPS III Follow-on (GPS IIIF) satellites, SV23 and SV24, strengthening the service’s ability to deliver resilient positioning, navigation and timing capabilities worldwide.

The award, announced last week, continues Lockheed Martin’s dominant role in the GPS III program. With the long-troubled Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) developed by RTX RTX 0.96%↑ effectively cancelled, Lockheed Martin has become the de facto provider of the ground control system for the modernized GPS constellation. The company will use its Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP) ground system, which it has already upgraded to support the advanced M-Code military signal on earlier GPS III satellites.

The new satellites will feature enhanced resiliency, including improved anti-jamming capabilities, greater accuracy and longer design life. They will join the growing GPS III constellation. The contract includes options for additional spacecraft and sustainment support through the mid-2030s.

IIIF capabilities include:

• The Regional Military Protection capability that provides a 63-fold increase in anti-jam capabilities, allowing warfighters to access strong GPS signals in contested environments.
• Additional M-Code-enabled satellites, allowing for secure GPS connection for warfighters.
• A digital navigation payload, increasing accuracy and reliability of IIIF spacecraft.