The U.S. Space Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for two additional Global Positioning System satellites. The $509.7 million contract encompasses GPS III satellites 21 and 22, integral components of the advanced GPS III Follow-on constellation. This constellation is designed to provide superior positioning, navigation, and timing services to both military and civilian users internationally.
Delivery of these two satellites is projected for 2031, as per a May 28 contract announcement. This order is facilitated by a pre-existing 2018 contract that allows for the procurement of up to 22 spacecraft. With this latest procurement, the Space Force has exercised options for a total of 12 satellites, resulting in a cumulative contract value of $4.1 billion.
The GPS IIIF series marks the latest advancement in the Global Positioning System, a technology relied upon by over 6 billion users globally, encompassing military, commercial, and civilian sectors. The enhanced IIIF satellites boast superior anti-jamming capabilities, improved accuracy, and advanced features such as an upgraded nuclear detonation detection payload and a next-generation search-and-rescue package.