WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force awarded Raytheon a $196.7 million contract extension for the Global Positioning System Next Generation Operational

Space Force awards Raytheon $196.7 million for additional work on GPS ground control system

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2024-11-29 16:30:02

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force awarded Raytheon a $196.7 million contract extension for the Global Positioning System Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX), a critical upgrade to the GPS infrastructure that is years behind schedule.

The contract, announced Nov. 27 by Space Systems Command, targets the next software upgrade to be delivered by November 2025. This latest award brings Raytheon’s total OCX contract value to nearly $4.5 billion since the program’s inception in 2010.

OCX represents a comprehensive modernization of GPS ground control infrastructure, designed to enhance navigation signal accuracy and cybersecurity for both military and civilian applications. The program has been plagued by significant delays, with the current delivery timeline approximately seven years behind the original schedule.

A cornerstone of the system is its ability to manage the highly secure M-Code signal, which provides jam-resistant capabilities vital for military operations in contested environments. The GPS network underpins navigation, communications, and precision timing for both civilian and military applications.