Global Positioning System III - Operational Control Segment
Abstract
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space based Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) distribution system which operates through all weather. GPS supports both civil and military users in air, space, sea and land operations. GPS is a satellite-based radio navigation system that serves military and civil users worldwide. GPS users process satellite signals to determine accurate position, velocity and time. GPS must comply with Title 10 United States Code (USC) Sec 2281 which requires that the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) ensures the continued sustainment and operation of GPS for military and civilian purposes, and 51 USC Sec 50112, which requires that GPS complies with certain standards and facilitates international cooperation. GPS also includes the Nuclear Detonation (NUDET) Detection System (NDS). The Government is responsible for the integration of the GPS Segments such that they provide worldwide GPS capability to support the warfighter and over four billion national security, civil, Allied, and commercial GPS users. Program Element (PE) 1206423SF funds Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) for the Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX), which includes OCX Blocks 0, 1, and 2, and the upgrade to OCX called OCX Block 3F (OCX 3F), which incorporates Regional Military Protection (RMP) and command and control functionality for GPS III Follow-on (GPS IIIF) satellites. GPS Enterprise Integrator (EI) activities are systems engineering and integration activities conducted across the space, user, and ground segments. This activity formerly resided in the OCX PE and was switched to the GPS III Follow-on (GPS IIIF) PE in FY 2023. OCX acquisition was established to 1) provide command and control of legacy and GPS III satellites, 2) incorporate situational awareness to support Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) and signal monitoring, 3) enable mission capability upgrades to support a warfighter effects-based approach to operations, and 4) integrate Department of Defense (DoD) information assurance and cybersecurity controls and capabilities. OCX 3F will upgrade OCX to provide RMP, a high-powered military signal which strengthens U.S. and allied forces' GPS resiliency in contested on tested environments to mitigate future jamming threats. OCX 3F also provides the ability to rapidly reconfigure GPS IIIF satellites to create time-critical warfighter effects. OCX and OCX 3F funds support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses, architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, resolving obsolescence issues, test and evaluation efforts, pre-operational support activities, and interim contractor support. These activities support upgrades and product improvements for military and civil applications necessary to enable efforts to protect the United States Military and Allies' use of GPS. Additionally, funds ensure OCX and OCX Block 3F efforts meet Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) approved required capabilities. OCX Block 1 and 2 primary development concludes at system acceptance executed via DoD Form DD 250 (planned for late 4th Quarter FY 2024). Pre-Operational Support (pre-ops acceptance) and Interim Contractor Support (ICS) (post-ops acceptance) is the final contract phase that completes development, achieves the program's final Acquisition Program Baseline (APB) milestone Ready to Transition to Operations (RTO), supports Operational Acceptance (OA), and transitions OCX to long-term sustainment. Specifically, ICS provides contractor support services to sustain and provide capability insertions, maintain system performance requirements, and participate in government led events such as maintenance, integrated supply support, security, and launch activities. RDT&E funded government activities include Development Test and Evaluation (DT&E), GPS Constellation Transfer (CTX), Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E), and OA. Upon completion of those activities, OCX will prepare for, and transition to O&M funded Contractor Logistics Support (CLS). In FY 2023, the contractor conducted ICS proposal activities in preparation for contract modification for the final contract phase planned in FY 2024. OCX 3F, which achieved Milestone B May 2022, is required to launch and operationally command and control GPS IIIF space vehicles. OCX 3F will upgrade OCX with new capabilities to synchronize with GPS IIIF Space Segment and Military GPS User Equipment (MGUE) Increment 2 capabilities. This includes master control station development, GPS system simulator modification, launch and mission planning development, training simulators, integrated logistics support products, test resources, systems engineering required to meet the Government's obligations to the international, military and civil communities, and system requirements verification. OCX 3F will maintain backward compatibility to support the legacy constellation develop solutions necessary to command, control and monitor GPS IIIF, to include integration of RMP high power regional M-code signals, rapid warfighter effects and support to GPS auxiliary payloads. This PE may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver OCX and OCX 3F weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in PEs 1206392SF and 1206398SF. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 1206423SF_7_3620F_PB_2025
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY 2025: +$134.425M to fix ICS must pay support to global monitoring stations, OCX SW (Software) updates, cyber patches, augmented crew ops, and OT&E (Operational Test & Evaluation) effort. Supports GPS constellation & maintains space/user segment alignment. Achieves OA and supports transition to Contractor Logistic Support (CLS).
- Service Agency Name
- Air Force
Entities
Organizations
- United States Air Force
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