Lockheed Martin Wins $514M Space Force GPS Contract
Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) announced that the U.S. Space Force awarded the company a $514 million contract to build Global Positioning System (GPS) IIIF Space Vehicles 23 and 24. This contract brings Lockheed’s total commitment to the GPS IIIF program to fourteen spacecraft. The GPS IIIF satellites are intended to provide positioning, navigation and timing capabilities for both military and civilian users. They incorporate a Regional Military Protection capability that delivers a 63‑fold increase in anti‑jamming performance, additional M‑Code‑enabled satellites for secure GPS connections, and a digital navigation payload.
Earlier in the year, all Lockheed‑manufactured GPS III satellites reached orbit, with GPS III SV09 and SV10 launched on accelerated schedules. GPS IIIF satellites beginning with SV13 are built on the evolved LM2100 Combat Bus, which offers enhanced cyber‑hardening, higher spacecraft power, improved propulsion and upgraded electronics. Lockheed has completed the core‑mate milestone for three of the GPS IIIF satellites, while the remaining units are in various stages of production.
In addition to the $514 million vehicle contract, Lockheed Martin was recently awarded a separate $105 million contract to continue modernization of the GPS ground segment. Production of the GPS IIIF satellites is being advanced at the company’s Denver‑area facilities, where augmented reality tools and digital‑twin technology are employed to accelerate build rates.