Tag: M-code

GPS military code receives operational acceptance for early use

The Space and Missile Systems Center’s Production Corps achieved a major GPS milestone on Nov. 18 with the approval for Operational Acceptance of GPS Military-Code (M-Code) Early Use (MCEU). MCEU serves as a gap filler for M-code operations before the entire GPS constellation’s operational transition to the Next Generation Operational Control System Block 1.

The encrypted M-code signal enhances anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities for the warfighter. M-code signals are available on all 23 GPS Block IIR-M, IIF and III space vehicles currently on orbit. The successful testing events were completed at the Master Control Station at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado and Alternate Master Control Stations at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

Operational Acceptance followed successful integrated developmental and operational testing of the GPS Operational Control Segment (OCS) upgrade. Operating in a trial period since June 2020, the MCEU upgrade allows the OCS Architecture Evolution Plan to task, upload and monitor M-code within the GPS constellation, as well as support testing and fielding of modernized user equipment. With M-code now declared operational, upcoming Military GPS User Equipment (MGUE) will be able to request early use of the M-code signal-in-space to provide more secure position, navigation and timing (PNT) to warfighters.

“MCEU ushers in a new era of GPS support that will provide operators across the warfighting domain with assured PNT access while further preventing unauthorized use by our adversaries. This is a critical step in remaining the gold standard of PNT systems and promoting a peaceful, secure, stable, and accessible space domain,” said Lt. Jordan Malara, 2nd Space Operations Squadron GPS Warfighter Collaboration Cell assistant flight commander.

M-code designed for security

Military code (M-Code) is a more-secure, harder-to-jam and spoof GPS signal specifically for military forces. Awarded in September 2017, M-Code Early Use (MCEU) is a software upgrade to the OCS AEP, which allows the current ground control system to task, upload and monitor M-Code within the GPS constellation. It will also help Accelerating M-Code’s deployment supports testing and fielding of modernized user equipment in support of the warfighter.

MCEU includes a new software-defined receiver installed globally at all six Space Force Monitoring Sites. The M-code Monitor Station Technology Improvement and Capability (M-MSTIC) uses commercial, off-the-shelf hardware to cost effectively receive and process M-code signals, enabling OCS operators to successfully monitor the M-code signals.

“M-code’s more-secure, harder-to-jam and spoof signals are critical to helping our warfighters complete their missions, especially in contested environments,” said Maria Demaree, vice president and general manager for Lockheed Martin’s Mission Solutions line of business. “This upgrade to the current GPS ground control system, and the launch of more modernized GPS III satellites, is making M-code’s full-fielding a reality.”

With the Dec. 1 Operational Acceptance of GPS III Space Vehicle 04 (GPS III SV04), 23 GPS IIR-M, GPS IIF and GPS III satellites broadcast M-code in the current GPS Constellation.

Ground Control Timeline — OCS AEP

Lockheed Martin has sustained the Space Force’s current GPS ground control system since 2013. The system is known as the GPS Operational Control Segment (OCS) Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP) or “OCS AEP.”

In February 2016, the Air Force contracted Lockheed Martin to develop the GPS III Contingency Operations (COps) software upgrade to the OCS AEP. COps was delivered in May 2019, successfully connected with on-orbit GPS III SV01 in October 2019, and was Operationally Accepted in February 2020. COps enabled the Air Force’s ground control system to command and control both the legacy satellites, as well the more powerful GPS III satellites beginning to launch.

In November 2018, the company completed the AEP 7.5 upgrade — the largest architectural change in the systems history — replacing significant code, hardware and software to improve the system’s cybersecurity capabilities and positioning the Air Force to better operate in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments.

In December 2018, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin the GPS Control Segment Sustainment II (GCS II) contract to continue to further modernize and sustain the OCS AEP through 2025.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, Lockheed Martin delivered the Red Dragon Cybersecurity Suite (RDCSS) Phase III upgrade to the OCS AEP, dramatically improving Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) visibility into GPS network traffic. Other add-ons include user behavior analytics to analyze patterns of traffic and network taps to improve data collections.

Earlier this year — and key to enabling M-Code — Lockheed Martin installed new software-defined M-Code Monitor Station Technology Capability (M-MSTIC) receivers at six Space Force monitoring sites around the world. In Dec. 2019, SMC granted security approval for M-MSTIC.

From his side window, a crew chief relays vital position information back to the CH-47 Chinook pilot as paratroopers hook their pallet of equipment to the underside of the helicopter during sling load and air operations training. (Photo: U.S. Army/Maj. Robert Fellingham)

December 7, 2020
GPS III SV04 receives operational acceptance, 1 more needed for M-code

The fourth GPS III satellite, space vehicle (SV) 04, received United States Space Force’s Operational Acceptance approval on Dec. 1.

Operational acceptance marks another significant milestone for the GPS III program, Space and Missile Systems Center and USSF, according to the Space Force. This is the fourth GPS III satellite delivered into the operational constellation in the past 12 months and the second in the past three months.

Also, this is the first GPS III vehicle delivered to the warfighter through an expedited satellite control authority transfer process, which cuts 10 days off the previous operational acceptance timeline.

One more to go for M-code capability

“With the onset of SV04, the GPS constellation continues moving forward in next generation modernization,” said Capt. Collin Dart, the 2 SOPS DOA flight commander. “The 2nd Space Operations Squadron is one step closer to providing military code (M-code) capability for the entire 24 satellite baseline.”

“The highly encrypted M-code to protect GPS signals from jamming and spoofing is currently enabled on 22 GPS satellites of various generations; 24 are needed to bring the M-code to the next level of operational capability,” Dart explained. “SV04 brings the constellation to 23 M-code capable vehicles. SV05 will launch no earlier than July 2021. This will add the 24th M-code capable vehicle.”

“M-code signals are more-secure, harder-to-jam and spoof, and are critical to helping our warfighters complete their missions, especially in contested environments,” said Tonya Ladwig, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for Navigation Systems. “GPS III is a warfighting system and we are proud to be helping bring this critical capability to the men and women protecting our nation.”

GPS III SV04 is encapsulated in its protective launch fairings. (Photo: 45th Space Wing Public Affairs)

Faster handover from contractor

SV04 also sets a new standard for handover from contractor Lockheed Martin’s launch team to operational acceptance, setting the satellite healthy to the global user community approximately 30 days post launch, according to Dart. “Moving forward with future GPS III launches, the timeline between launch and the satellite being set healthy will be at a minimum,” he said.

SV04 was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 vehicle on Nov. 5. The Air Force has been flying 31 operational satellites for years to ensure the United States’ commitment to have 24 operational GPS satellites available 95% of the time.

GPS III SV04 joins this operational constellation of 31 GPS satellites orbiting in medium-Earth orbit. The system delivers improved accuracy, advanced anti-jam capabilities and increased resiliency for the GPS III constellation.

Lockheed Martin’s production proceeds

The Space Force declared GPS III SV05 “Available for Launch” in May. The satellite is waiting to be called up”for launch.

GPS III SV06, 07 and 08 are now fully assembled and going through environmental testing at Lockheed Martin’s GPS III Processing Facility in Denver.

GPS III SV09 and 10 are in component build up.

Lockheed Martin is also under contract for up to 22 additional GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) satellites, which introduce further technology and capabilities. In May, Lockheed Martin completed its Critical Design Review for the GPS IIIF and in July, the Space Force declared that GPS IIIF fulfilled “Milestone C,” which means the production phase of the program has officially begun.

“The operational acceptance of GPS III SV04 is another significant milestone for GPS Modernization, delivering critical new capabilities to our Military and Civil Users. We now have a total of 23 M-code spacecraft for our Warfighters. For our billions of civil users, it brings the count up to 23 L2C spacecraft and 16 L5 spacecraft,” said Col. Ryan Colburn, director of the SMC Portfolio Architect Office’s Spectrum Warfare Division. “For professional users with existing dual-frequency operations, L2C enables faster signal acquisition, enhanced reliability, and greater operating range. L5 is broadcast in a radio band reserved exclusively for aviation safety services. It features higher power, greater bandwidth, and an advanced signal design. Future aircraft will use L5 in combination with L1 C/A to improve accuracy (via ionospheric correction) and robustness (via signal redundancy). The operational acceptance of this spacecraft is another display of the fantastic teamwork across SMC’s Corps, Space Delta 8, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, our industry partners and many others who work together to make these missions possible.”

GPS satellites provide position, navigation, and timing to more than four billion military and civilian users worldwide.

A Falcon 9 carrying GPS III SV04 lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Nov 5. (Photo: SpaceX via USAF)

December 2, 2020
Orolia unveils M-code-enabled mobile timing and sync solutions

Flexible, resilient military PNT designed for every military environment

Orolia, through its Orolia Defense & Security business, has announced the availability of M-code military GPS receivers in its resilient PNT products and solutions, including M-code-enabled mobile mission timing and synchronization platforms.

M-code capabilities further enhance Orolia’s Versa mobile PNT platform for rugged, small SWaP-C requirements and Orolia’s flagship SecureSync resilient time and frequency reference solution — the first Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) approved time server.

M-code is a military signal used in the L1 and L2 GPS bands and is required by congressional mandate for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) military operations. It is designed to enhance positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities and improved resistance to existing and emerging GPS threats, such as jamming and spoofing.

M-code offers several operational benefits, including a higher power signal with improved resistance to jamming and interference; advanced security features to prevent unauthorized access or exploitation; and improved message formats and signal modulation techniques for faster and more accurate performance.

“As threats against GPS increase, military forces will need M-code capabilities on mobile PNT systems to ensure continuous operations wherever they go,” said Hironori Sasaki, president of Orolia Defense & Security. “Orolia is proud to continue to support Department of Defense initiatives to ensure that warfighters have the most secure, reliable and accurate positioning, timing and synchronization solutions in any environment.”

From resilient PNT solutions to GPS/GNSS simulation, interference detection and mitigation, Orolia provides end-to-end NAVWAR and resilient PNT solutions to protect, augment and strengthen military systems for GPS-denied environments.

November 12, 2020
Spirent Federal announces M-code updates with SimMNSA v2.0

Photo: Spirent Federal

GNSS simulator company Spirent Federal Systems will soon release SimMNSA 2.0. The release adds advanced scenario controls that enable full recreation of government test vectors while retaining the simple key and fly option of the initial release.

Spirent Federal developed software that supports M-code signals using the Modernized Navstar Security Algorithm (MNSA). SimMNSA 1.0 was released in 2018 and is now used in laboratories throughout the country with receivers from all M-code manufacturers.

“SimMNSA is the first MNSA-based M-code signal simulation to receive government security approval,” said Ellen Hall, President and CEO. “We pride ourselves in being leaders in innovation and we will continue to push ourselves to meet the growing needs of our customers.”

Release 2.0 of Spirent Federal’s SimMNSA is scheduled for later this year. It will be available to authorized users of the GSS9000 Series, at no additional cost to current SimMNSA users under maintenance contracts.

September 15, 2020
Northrop Grumman’s EGI-M navigation system completes critical design review

Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully completed the critical design review (CDR) milestone for the Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (INS)-Modernization, or EGI-M, program.

EGI-M provides state-of-the-art airborne navigation capabilities with an open architecture that enables rapid responses to future threats. The fully modernized system integrates new M-code capable GPS receivers, provides interoperability with civil controlled air space, and implements a new resilient time capability.

“The completion of this milestone is a key step in bringing necessary navigation capability upgrades to our warfighters,” said Brandon White, vice president, navigation and positioning systems, Northrop Grumman. “With its open architecture and government ownership of the key internal interfaces, EGI-M’s next-generation navigation solution allows the government to quickly insert emerging capabilities from third parties while maintaining cyber security and airworthiness.”

The F-22 is one of the lead platforms for EGI-M integration. (Photo: Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie/U.S. Air Force)

Northrop Grumman’s unique, modular platform interface design enables backwards compatibility with existing platform footprint and interfaces (A-Kits), allowing current platforms to easily integrate and deploy Northrop Grumman’s EGI-M solution.

At the same time, EGI-M’s modular software and hardware, coupled with government ownership of key interfaces, allows EGI-M to benefit from rapid upgrades with best of breed software and hardware technologies now and in the future.

Northrop Grumman has been on contract for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of EGI-M since November 2018. The CDR milestone marks the completion of detailed hardware and software design of the EGI-M product line.

The launch platforms for Northrop Grumman’s EGI-M are the F-22 fighter jet and E-2D early warning aircraft. Additional fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms across Department of Defense and allied forces have already selected Northrop Grumman’s EGI-M as their future navigation solution.

The E-2D Hawkeye is an American all-weather, carrier-capable tactical airborne early-warning aircraft. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

September 8, 2020
US military chooses Spirent for anechoic chamber testing

Spirent Federal Systems has been awarded a contract to support anechoic chamber testing for a major U.S. military agency.

Spirent’s GSS9790 multi-output, multi-GNSS RF constellation wave-front simulator will be used as the signal generator attached to multiple transmission antennas for broadcast into the chambers.

Within this design, the antennas are structurally distributed to represent the correct arrival vectors of the simulated satellite signals on the device under test, creating the most realistic test environment possible. In addition, the GSS9790 supports interference sources located anywhere in the chamber to imitate different threat scenarios.

Image: Spirent

“Interference can threaten GNSS signals in multiple ways,” explained Jeff Martin, VP Sales. “We recognize the need for controlled, repeatable conditions to combat these threats. The GSS9790 delivers all the tools needed to successfully mitigate them.”

The GSS9790 simulator. (Photo: Spirent)

The Spirent GSS9790 supports classified Y-code, SAASM and M-code and can be found in key government labs across the country.

The Spirent GSS9790 enables verification of CRPA systems, spatial testing of single-antenna devices, and real-world-time-synchronized indoor GNSS implementations. The system is a development of the Spirent GSS9000. Combined with Spirent’s SimGEN software, it offers a powerful test platform for anti-jam and interference testing.

August 25, 2020
GPS military code installs complete at master control sites

The United States Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center on July 27 completed the military code (M-code) Early Use (MCEU) hardware and software upgrade to the GPS Operational Control System (OCS).

Completion of the upgrade is a major step toward Operational Acceptance of the long-awaited GPS M-code.

Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Dennis Rogers

The encrypted M-code signal enhances anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities for the warfighter. M-code signals are currently available on all 22 GPS Block IIR-M, IIF and III space vehicles currently on orbit.

The installs were completed at the Master Control Station at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, and Alternate Master Control Stations at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

The MCEU upgrade allows the OCS Architecture Evolution Plan to task, upload and monitor M-code within the GPS constellation, as well as support testing and fielding of modernized user equipment.

Operational Acceptance Set for November. MCEU will be in a trial period before Operational Acceptance in November. Once Operational Acceptance is granted, upcoming Military Ground User Equipment (MGUE) will be able to leverage the M-code signal-in-space to provide more secure position, navigation and timing (PNT) to warfighters.

“Working closely with Lockheed Martin and our other mission partners — with the common national goal of providing enhanced PNT signal security and safety always in sharp focus — means we’re able to deliver the right mission capability faster to our warfighters,” said Lt. Col. Steven A. Nielson, program manager of the MCEU project.

MCEU serves as a gap-filler for M-code operations before the entire GPS constellation’s operational transition to the Next Generation Operational Control System Block 1, which is now in development.

A key to enabling M-code is a new software-defined receiver being installed at all six Space Force Monitoring Sites. The M-code Monitor Station Technology Improvement and Capability receiver uses commercial, off-the-shelf hardware to cost-effectively receive and process M-code signals, enabling OCS operators to monitor the signals.

August 6, 2020
Microchip introduces timing GPS with embedded M-code receiver
New SyncServer S650 M-Code secures military communication systems, radar and networks reliant on GPS signals

Photo: Microchip

Threats from intentional jamming and spoofing of GPS signals, as well as cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure, demonstrate the need for powerful and secure time and frequency systems that ensure continuing operability and performance.

Microchip Technology’s SyncServer S650 M-Code time server has received approval from the U.S. Air Force GPS Directorate of the Los Angeles Air Force Base for use in support of military communication systems, radars and networks.

M-code, an encrypted military signal broadcasted in GPS frequency bands, is required by congressional mandate for mission critical Department of Defense (DOD) applications in hostile environments. Microchip’s SyncServer S650 M-Code equipped time and frequency server provides a secure, accurate, flexible platform for synchronizing mission-critical electronic systems and instrumentation.

For DOD programs requiring jam-resistant, encrypted time and frequency signals from the GPS military M-code Precise Positioning Service (PPS), the SyncServer S650 M-Code is a secure time and frequency instrument with a fully integrated M-code GPS receiver.

“As the first time and frequency instrument enabling DOD compliance for M-code-based GPS systems, this technology demonstrates Microchip’s continuing commitment and investment in the security of time and frequency systems,” said Randy Brudzinski, vice president, Frequency and Timing Solutions business unit. “This time server represents a new level of security hardening built on Microchip’s proven commercial SyncServer S650 time server that provides extreme timing accuracy, security and flexibility.”

The SyncServer S650 M-code equipped time and frequency instrument is a rack mounted server device that synchronizes to the atomic clocks aboard GPS satellites via M-code. The S650 M-code leverages new technology to provide enhanced anti-jamming protection and further hardening against spoofing, providing greater accuracy, and improving operator ease-of-use for key loading.

Harder to jam than commercial CA-Code GPS, M-code provides a more secure signal than the commercial CA-Code or SAASM P(Y) signal, with greater accuracy. The instrument also is easier for operators to load crypto keys.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Pennington, a flight engineer assigned to B Co “Big Windy,” 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, takes in his ‘office’ view from the ramp of his CH-47 Chinook while flying over the island of Cyprus on Jan. 14, 2020. (Photo: U.S. Army/Maj. Robert Fellingham)

The SyncServer S650 M-Code can utilize Microchip’s FlexPort technology for multiport, user definable output signal configurations for Inter-Range Instrumentation Group (IRIG) timecodes, pulses and a variety of signal types essential for military communication, radars and network system synchronization. This is coupled with Microchip’s NTP Reflector technology for robust security, accuracy and reliability of network-based time services such as Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP). Other features include:
- Four standard GbE ports, all with patented NTP hardware time stamping, with two additional 10 GbE ports optional
- Contains most popular timing signal inputs/outputs standard in the base timing I/O module (IRIG B, 10 MHz, 1PPS)
- Web-based management with high security cipher suite
- Rubidium atomic clock or OCXO oscillator upgrades
- Superior 10 MHz low phase noise options
Microchip has been delivering the SyncServer S650 to synchronize business critical and mission critical operations, across all industry segments, since its commercial introduction in 2016.
July 30, 2020
CAST Navigation granted MNSA security approval

Photo: CAST Navigation

CAST Navigation LLC has developed the capability to support development and implementation of the Modernized Navstar Security Algorithm (MNSA). The U.S. Department of Defense granted in January CAST MNSA security approval, enabling its simulators to test M-code.

The new software will support M-code using the classified security algorithm. M-code is an updated GPS military signal that is part of the modernization of the current GPS constellation.

The CAST-MNSA is a significant addition to CAST Navigation’s suite of classified signal capabilities and is available on all of the company’s simulators. The feature will be instrumental in the effort toincorporate MNSA capability into GPS receivers. CAST provides development, integration and testing life-cycle support for the next generation of navigation systems.

“Our GNSS/INS simulators and test equipment are critical tools used to validate and verify the performance of navigation systems, and this feature ensures that our customers can keep pace with advances in technology and capability,” said Susan Gove, president and CEO of CAST Navigation.

“The classified product feature continues our 38-year history of innovation as anindustry leader whose products are critical to the support of numerous government, military, prime contractors and U.S. Department of Defense programs,” Gove said.

April 21, 2020
Final steps underway to operationalize new GPS M-code signal

GPS IIIF’s M-code can be broadcast from a high-gain directional antenna in a concentrated, high-powered spot beam, in addition to a wide-angle, full-Earth antenna. (Artist rendering: Lockheed Martin)

U.S. Space Force, Lockheed Martin upgrade Operational Control System (OCS) and refresh GPS constellation with new satellites.

The final steps to fully enable the ultra-secure, jam-resistant military code (M-code) signal on GPS are now underway.

As part of the U.S. military’s effort to modernize GPS, the U.S. Space Force has been steadily upgrading its existing GPS Ground Operational Control System (OCS). The Space Force recently announced Operational Acceptance of the GPS Contingency Operations (COps) upgrade, developed by Lockheed Martin.

COps enabled control of the operational GPS constellation, now containing 21 M-code-capable GPS satellites, including Lockheed Martin’s first two GPS III satellites, until the next generation OCX ground control system is delivered.

M-code availability on track for 2020

The Space Force’s M-Code Early Use (MCEU) upgrade, delivered earlier this year, will enable the OCS to task, upload and monitor M-code within the GPS constellation, as well as support testing and fielding of modernized user equipment, prior to the completion of the next-generation ground control systems.

This spring, work will begin to install the components needed to command and monitor the M-Code encrypted GPS signal, which enhances anti-jamming and protection from spoofing, as well as increases secure access for our forces, into the GPS OCS. M-code signals are available on all the on-orbit GPS IIR-M, IIF and III space vehicles.

A key to enabling M-code is a new software-defined receiver Lockheed Martin developed and is installing at all six Space Force monitoring sites. The M-code Monitor Station Technology Capability (M-MSTIC) uses a commercial, off-the-shelf general purpose graphics processing unit (GPU) to cost effectively receive and monitor M-code signals. Operators can monitor the signal as needed. M-MSTIC complements MSTIC’s, which Lockheed Martin developed and fielded to replace aging hardware receivers that were becoming difficult and expensive to maintain.

“Our warfighters depend on GPS signals every day for many critical missions, so anything we can do to make these signals more resistant to jamming and spoofing is extremely important — and available today,” said Johnathon Caldwell, Lockheed Martin vice president of Navigation Systems. “The more powerful GPS III/IIIF satellites coupled with Lockheed Martin’s upgrades to the GPS ground system are making that possible.”

Second GPS III satellite joins GPS Constellation

On March 27, the Space Force declared Operational Acceptance of Lockheed Martin’s second GPS III satellite, which was transferred to 2 SOPS control earlier that week. An M-code enabled satellite, GPS III SV02 has three times greater accuracy and up to eight times improved anti-jamming capabilities.

GPS III also provides a new L1C civil signal, compatible with other international GNSS, such as Europe’s Galileo.

Lockheed Martin is contracted to build up to 32 GPS III/GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) satellites to help modernize the GPS constellation with new technology and advanced capabilities. The delivery tempo for these modernized GPS satellites will allow for several launches per year. The third M-code enabled GPS III satellite, named “Columbus,” is expected to launch in April, 2020.

Red Dragon Cybersecurity Suite

Cyber defenses across the upgraded GPS system were recently evaluated by a government assessment team and passed the Operational Utility Evaluation. Lockheed Martin delivered the Red Dragon Cybersecurity Suite (RDCSS) Phase III upgrade during the fourth quarter of 2019, dramatically improving Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) visibility into GPS network traffic.

Other add-ons include user behavior analytics to analyze patterns of traffic and network taps to improve data collections.

“GPS is an attractive target for our adversaries, so it was critical we bring our best cybersecurity defenses to the table,” said Stacy Kubicek, vice president of Mission Solutions Defense and Security. “Since we began sustaining the Ground OCS in 2013, we have systematically upgraded and replaced software and hardware — it’s now a very secure system.”

Lockheed Martin has sustained the GPS Ground OCS since 2013. In November of 2018, the team completed the AEP 7.5 architectural change – replacing the hardware and software to improve resiliency and cybersecurity. In December of 2018, the Air Force awarded Lockheed martin the GPS Control Segment Sustainment II (GCS II) contract to further modernize and sustain the AEP OCS through 2025.

The GPS III team is led by the Production Corps, Medium Earth Orbit Division, at the Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center, at Los Angeles Air Force Base. The GPS OCS sustainment is managed by the Enterprise Corps, GPS Sustainment Division at Peterson Air Force Base. 2 SOPS, at Schriever Air Force Base, manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.

March 30, 2020
Raytheon M-code receivers certified by U.S. Air Force

Photo: Raytheon

New technology makes GPS more secure and reliable for military systems.

Raytheon has received security certification for new GPS modules and receivers from the GPS Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.

The new modules and receivers will give military aircraft, ships, ground vehicles and weapon systems secure and reliable access to modernized GPS.

“Because GPS is under constant attack, we worked with our government partners to create new M-code modules and receivers that give the military secure and resilient navigation systems,” said Eric Ditmars, vice president of Raytheon’s Secure Sensor Solutions. “And since the tech is platform agnostic, it will work on a wide-range of platforms in the air, on the ground or at sea.”

Raytheon’s military code common GPS module was certified, along with its ground-based GPS receiver, or GB-GRAM, and the avionics GPS receiver, or GRAM-S/M. GB-GRAM and GRAM S/M are jointly developed with Trimble, while General Dynamics provides cryptographic capabilities for the modules.

“Operators need a system that is flexible and fast,” said Chad Pillsbury, director of Resilient Navigation at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. “We’ve designed these GPS systems with a common security architecture — meaning we can get this capability in the hands of operators faster and eliminate the need for additional security certifications.”

August 9, 2019
Lockheed delivers GPS III ground system upgrade, SV03 ready for launch

Technicians successfully integrated the U.S. Air Force’s third GPS III space vehicle (GPS III SV03) on August 14, 2017. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

On May 22, Lockheed Martin delivered the GPS III Contingency Operations (COps) software upgrade to the U.S. Air Force’s current GPS ground control system.

The upgrade will enable the Air Force to start commanding the new, next-generation GPS III satellites now coming off the production line and beginning to launch.

And the new GPS III satellites are coming. The first GPS III satellite launched in December 2018; the second GPS III shipped to Cape Canaveral in March for a July launch; and on May 17, the Air Force declared the third new GPS III “Available for Launch” next.

Ground System. The challenge was modernizing the current ground system — formally known as the GPS Architecture Evolution Plan Operational Control System (AEP OCS) — to fly the legacy constellation, as well as the new, modern GPS III satellites, until the next generation Operational Control System (OCX) Block 1, still in development, is delivered.

To address this, in 2016, the Air Force contracted Lockheed Martin to develop the GPS III COps program. Currently, the AEP OCS controls 31 GPS IIA, IIR, IIR-M and IIF satellites launched between 1993-2016. With the AEP OCS’ new GPS III COps upgrade, the Air Force will be able to command and control both the legacy satellites, as well the more powerful GPS III satellites.

Lockheed Martin shipped the U.S. Air Force’s first GPS III to Cape Canaveral, Florida ahead of its expected July launch. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

“Positioning, Navigation and Timing is a critical mission for our nation and COps will allow the Air Force to gain early access to its new GPS III satellites,” said Johnathon Caldwell, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for Navigation Systems. “We just finished Final Qualification Testing and delivery on COps, and it will be integrated and installed on the AEP OCS over the summer. We look forward to the Air Force ‘flying’ a GPS constellation on the COps OCS which includes the new GPS III satellites, later this year.”

Meanwhile, the first GPS III space vehicle (GPS III SV01), launched in December 2018, is finishing up pre-operational on-orbit check-out. It continues to be controlled by OCX Block 0 software installed at Lockheed Martin’s GPS III Launch and Checkout Center at the company’s Denver facility. GPS III SV01 is expected to be “handed over” to the COps OCS later this year after the legacy constellation is moved over to the updated AEP OCS.

Lockheed Martin has sustained the AEP OCS since 2013. In November 2018, the company completed the AEP 7.5 upgrade — the largest architectural change in the systems history — replacing significant code, hardware and software to improve the system’s cybersecurity capabilities and positioning the Air Force to better operate in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments.

In December 2018, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin the GPS Control Segment Sustainment II (GCS II) contract to continue to further modernize and sustain the AEP OCS through 2025. In 2020, the AEP OCS is expected to receive the M-Code Early Use (MCEU) upgrade, which will allow control of M-code, an advanced, new signal designed to improve anti-jamming and anti-spoofing, as well as to increase secure access to military GPS signals for U.S. and allied armed forces.

Lockheed Martin is under contract to develop and build up to 32 GPS III/IIIF satellites. GPS III will deliver three times better accuracy and provide up to eight times improved anti-jamming capabilities. GPS III’s new L1C civil signal will make it the first GPS satellite to be interoperable with other international global navigation satellite systems. Additional “IIIF” capabilities, beginning at the 11th satellite, will include a fully digital navigation payload, Regional Military Protection, an accuracy-enhancing laser retroreflector array, and a Search & Rescue payload.

June 11, 2019