# GPS IIIF by US Space Force Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/spaceflight/gps-iiif Frontier: [Spaceflight](https://technooptimist.io/spaceflight.md) · Field: Military space · Company: [US Space Force](https://technooptimist.io/companies/us-space-force.md) Stage: Proto (2 of 5: Research → Proto → Pilot → Deploy → Scaling) Updated: last update 2026-06-16, facts checked 2026-10-11 Goal: Replace an ageing GPS fleet, nearly half past its design life, with satellites whose signals are harder to jam, more accurate and that also relay distress beacons, keeping navigation and timing working worldwide. Status: 14 satellites on order from Lockheed Martin; first launch expected in 2028 after production delays. Next milestone: First GPS IIIF launch, target 2028 (slipped 24 months; originally 2026) ## Milestones | Status | Milestone | Date | Slip | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Done | Lockheed Martin wins contract for up to 22 satellites | 14 Sep 2018 | | | Done | First four GPS IIIF structures assembled | May 2025 | | | Done | SV21–22 ordered for $509.7M | May 2025 | | | Done | Last GPS III satellite (SV10) launches on Falcon 9 | Apr 2026 | | | Done | SV23–24 ordered for $514.4M; 14 now on contract | Jun 2026 | | | Current | First GPS IIIF launch | 2028 | +24 mo (originally 2026) | ## Upcoming events - **2028**: First GPS IIIF launch (slipped 24 mo) ## Most important updates - **16 Jun 2026**: Space Force orders GPS IIIF satellites 23 and 24 for $514.4M; first launches expected in 2028. Space Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin $514.4 million for two more GPS IIIF satellites, bringing the total on contract to 14. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/space-force-orders-gps-iiif-satellites-23-and-24-for-514-4m-first-9829e772.md) · [original source](https://www.afcea.org/signal-media/us-space-force-procures-additional-next-generation-gps-satellites)) - **Apr 2026**: Tenth and final GPS III satellite launches on Falcon 9 after Vulcan grounding. GPS III SV10, nicknamed Hedy Lamarr, launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 after a one-day weather delay, completing the GPS III series. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/tenth-and-final-gps-iii-satellite-launches-on-falcon-9-after-vulcan-615fb5cd.md) · [original source](https://interestingengineering.com/space/us-space-force-gps-modernization-chapter)) - **30 May 2025**: Lockheed Martin gets $509.7M for GPS IIIF satellites 21 and 22. The Pentagon ordered two more GPS IIIF satellites, SV21 and SV22, from Lockheed Martin, taking the program above $4.1 billion. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/lockheed-martin-gets-509-7m-for-gps-iiif-satellites-21-and-22-e0f3c7a7.md) · [original source](https://spaceinsider.tech/?p=30490)) - **11 Nov 2024**: First GPS IIIF satellites run 8 to 11 months late on mission data unit problems. The Space Force said the first batch of GPS IIIF satellites is 8 to 11 months behind its preferred schedule because of manufacturing problems at Lockheed Martin, mainly with the Mission Data Unit built by subcontractor L3Harris. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/first-gps-iiif-satellites-run-8-to-11-months-late-on-mission-data-unit-0ec4549e.md) · [original source](https://www.gpsworld.com/space-force-new-gps-satellites-running-months-behind-schedule/)) ## Current obstacles - **Mission data unit delays**: Production trouble with a key electronics unit from subcontractor L3Harris put the first satellites 8 to 11 months behind the Space Force's plan. - **Ground control lagging**: The OCX ground system that controls new signals keeps slipping; GAO reported its Block 3F delivery moved from July 2025 to February 2026. - **Launch availability**: Vulcan's grounding in 2026 forced the last GPS III onto Falcon 9; the first GPS IIIF is planned on Vulcan. ## Physics limits - **A whisper from 20,000 km**: GPS signals reach the ground weaker than background radio noise, so even a cheap nearby jammer can drown them out; beams and power only partly offset distance. - **Clocks must be near-perfect**: Light covers 30 cm in a billionth of a second, so a clock error that small already means a position error of about that size; relativity effects must also be corrected. ## How it works ### Timing: Position from the speed of light Each satellite broadcasts its time and position; a receiver times signals from four or more and works out where it is from the delays. ### Spot beam: Regional Military Protection A high-power military-only beam can be pointed at one region, making the signal there much harder for an enemy jammer to drown out. ### Laser reflectors: Pinning down the orbit Ground stations bounce lasers off reflectors on each satellite to measure its orbit precisely, and orbit errors feed directly into position errors. ### Search and rescue: Hearing distress beacons Every satellite relays 406 MHz emergency beacons for the Cospas-Sarsat system, cutting detection time from about an hour to five minutes. ## Spec sheet | Spec | GPS IIIF | GPS III (10 satellites, 2018–2026) | Provenance | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Satellites on contract | 14 (SV11–SV24) | | reported | | Anti-jam vs legacy GPS | Up to 60 times better | | reported | | Digital navigation payload | 100% | 70% (GPS III) | reported | | Design life | 15 years | | reported | | Latest pair price | $514.4M for two | | reported | | Bus | LM2100M; LM2100 Combat Bus from SV13 | | reported | Provenance: reported = stated by the company; estimated = our estimate; sample = a sample figure. ## About US Space Force The US Space Force is the military service branch that organizes, trains, and equips space forces. It develops and operates satellite systems, rockets, and space defense capabilities, including the Golden Dome space-based interceptor program for midcourse missile defense. - The US Space Force was established as the sixth branch of the US Armed Forces in December 2019. - Golden Dome is a $185 billion integrated missile defense architecture with space-based interceptors, radars, and command centers. - April 2026: $3.2 billion awarded to 12 contractors for interceptor prototypes. Demos 2028; full capability 2035. - Founded: 2019 - Headquarters: US - Status: government - Partners, customers, investors: SpaceX (partner); Anduril Industries (partner); Lockheed Martin (partner) Company page: https://technooptimist.io/companies/us-space-force.md ## Related programs More from US Space Force: - [Golden Dome Space-Based Interceptor Constellation](https://technooptimist.io/spaceflight/golden-dome.md) (Proto) - [Next-Gen OPIR](https://technooptimist.io/spaceflight/next-gen-opir.md) (Pilot) Everything in Spaceflight: https://technooptimist.io/spaceflight.md --- The Techno Optimist tracks every frontier of technology, program by program: https://technooptimist.io/ (a Markdown version of any page: add .md to its URL; site map for agents: https://technooptimist.io/llms.txt). Data API (JSON, realtime stream): https://technooptimist.io/developers. People read 5 pages free, then Reader $10/month; these Markdown pages are open to agents.