Lockheed Martin has completed a key production milestone for a next-generation GPS IIIF satellite, bringing the program closer to its first launch.
Lockheed Martin said Space Vehicle 11 (SV11) has passed the “core mate” phase, marking the point when major satellite components are integrated into a single system. The step effectively signals the satellite’s transition into full assembly and testing.
“Core mate of SV11 showcases the production momentum behind the next-generation GPS IIIF satellites as we continue to invest in advanced manufacturing,” Christina Mancinelli, vice president of Global Communications & Navigation at Lockheed Martin, said.
SV11 is now the third GPS IIIF satellite to reach this stage, following SV13 and SV14 last year. Unlike the earlier units, SV11 is set to be the first of the block to launch, putting it at the front of the program’s deployment timeline.
Designed as part of the GPS IIIF constellation, the spacecraft introduces upgrades aimed at improving resilience. Among them is Regional Military Protection, which the company says boosts anti-jamming capability more than 60 times compared to earlier systems.
SV11 also carries M-Code, an encrypted military signal intended to protect against spoofing and interference, alongside a search-and-rescue payload to support emergency response operations in remote areas.
Production is continuing at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Denver, where the company is using digital engineering tools such as augmented reality and digital twins to speed up manufacturing.
GPS IIIF Program Gains Momentum
The US Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth $7.2 billion in 2018 to develop the GPS IIIF series, expanding on the earlier GPS III satellites with additional military and civilian capabilities.
The program includes improvements to signal strength, accuracy, and resistance to electronic warfare.
Since then, work on GPS IIIF has accelerated in recent years as the US prioritizes more resilient positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities.
In April, Lockheed Martin secured a $105-million US Space Force contract to sustain and upgrade the GPS ground control network, covering launch, early orbit operations, and disposal support for GPS IIIF satellites.
Earlier, in 2020, the company completed the critical design review for a fully digital navigation payload for the GPS IIIF. The milestone confirmed the maturity of the design, including the digital Mission Data Unit.
