Military branch Space Force deploys new Global Positioning System (GPS) management system following prolonged hold-ups.

Military branch Space Force deploys new Global Positioning System (GPS) management system following prolonged hold-ups.

GPS Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) Begins Operational Use After Decade-Long Delays

The Space Force, under the U.S. Department of Defense, has officially taken ownership of the GPS Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) from contractor Raytheon Technologies (RTX) on July 1. After years of delays and significant cost overruns, the system is now undergoing integrated systems testing and readiness exercises, with full operational use expected by the end of 2025.

The OCX project, initially aimed at replacing the aging GPS ground control infrastructure, began with prototyping contracts in 2007. The system was designed to manage modern GPS III satellites with enhanced capabilities like anti-jamming, improved accuracy, and secure M-Code signals. However, the project faced numerous challenges, including cost overruns, schedule delays, software complexity, and cybersecurity integration.

In 2012, the U.S. Air Force projected that OCX would enter operational service by June 2017 with a program cost of $3.7 billion. However, by 2025, the program cost had risen to approximately $7.7 billion, and operational acceptance was only achieved in July 2025, nearly eight years behind schedule.

The Space Force has requested $70.9 million in its 2026 budget for Block 3F, the next development phase of OCX. This phase will enable control of the GPS III Follow-On satellites, expected to start launching in 2027. Development for Block 3F is currently underway, with delivery expected around early 2026 and operational acceptance anticipated in late 2027.

The challenges faced by the OCX project highlight the difficulties inherent in large-scale defense satellite control system modernization, particularly in integrating advanced features and security. Modern software practices, such as breaking down development work into manageable "sprints" and making rapid, iterative updates, are now considered a more effective approach compared to the traditional method of creating an entirely new, large software system all at once.

The Space Force officially operates the OCX, with the system's deployment being phased. OCX Block 2, which supports GPS III satellites' full functionality, started operations in December 2025. Meanwhile, the next development phase, OCX Block 3F, is in progress to enable control of the newer GPS III Follow-On satellites.

The history of the OCX project serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in large-scale defense satellite control system modernization and the importance of adapting to modern software practices to ensure successful project execution.

| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | Development start | Prototyping contracts started in 2007 | | Initial estimated IOC | June 2017 | | Initial estimated cost | $3.7 billion | | Actual operational acceptance| July 2025 | | Actual estimated cost | ~$7.7 billion | | Key challenges | Cost overruns, schedule delays, software complexity, cybersecurity integration | | Current status | System accepted, undergoing testing, operational use targeted late 2025 | | Next phase (Block 3F) | Controls next-gen GPS III Follow-On satellites, delayed to early 2026 delivery, late 2027 operations |

1. The Space Force, a branch of the U.S. military focused on space, has taken ownership of the GPS Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) from Raytheon Technologies.
2. The OCX project, initially aimed at modernizing the GPS ground control infrastructure, faced numerous challenges including cost overruns, schedule delays, software complexity, and cybersecurity integration.
3. The Space Force has requested financing for Block 3F, the next development phase of OCX, which will enable control of the GPS III Follow-On satellites and is currently under development.
4. Science and technology play crucial roles in the space-and-astronomy field, as evidenced by the complex challenges faced during the development of defense satellite control systems like OCX.
5. The OCX project's history underscores the need for adapting to modern software practices, such as breaking work into manageable "sprints" and making rapid, iterative updates, to ensure successful project execution in the field of space and astronomy.

Read also: