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What’s new: A very complete article about the way forward for GPS in the wake of the OCX collapse.
Why it’s important:
- GPS is the most widely adopted GNSS by far. Keeping the system strong is important, not just for the U.S. but also for billions of users around the world.
- GPS will be the cornerstone of U.S. PNT for decades.
What else to know: An interesting note in the article that the House Appropriations Committee did not want to fund R-GPS and preferred that Space Force (or DOD) invest in GPS alternatives. Some thoughts on that:
- GPS is really important so we need to be sure it is as strong as possible. We also need alternatives. While money is always a concern, and considering how fundamental GPS and PNT are to all our tech, funding both R-GPS and alternatives is likely in the nation’s best interest.
- Space Force clearly understands GPS has a vulnerability problem and is trying to do something about it. But they are mandated to do things in … SPACE! To compel action on more resilient terrestrial alternatives Congress should look to other parts of DOD.
- Unfortunately, there is no leader in DOD responsible for PNT, yet, so there is no one for Congress task. The House version of the 2027 NDAA seeks to solve that by creating a senior official responsible for PNT who reports to the Deputy Secretary.
Space Force Charts GPS Gen4 as $6.27B OCX Collapse Resets Acquisition Rules
Resilient GPS gets $15M lifeline as Space Force plots ground-first GPS Gen4 path
Col. Neil Barnas, commander of Systems Delta 831 — the Space Systems Command unit responsible for Navigation Warfare and PNT acquisition — told reporters on September 15 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, that the service will hold an industry day within weeks to formally begin planning for GPS Generation 4 (Gen4), the long-range successor to the current constellation. In the same remarks, he confirmed that follow-on contracts for the previously defunded Resilient GPS program (R-GPS) are set to be awarded shortly to three incumbent firms: Astranis, L3Harris Technologies, and Sierra Space.
