The US Space Force signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to 105 million dollars to support the ground control of next-generation GPS satellites. This is happening against the background of that, that the Pentagon is winding down a long-running replacement program, which was headed by the RTX company. Contract, signed 8 April 2026 year, provides support for the launch and on-orbit testing of GPS IIIF satellites until March 2030 year using the existing ground control system "Architecture Development Plan" (About).
For reference: RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Company) is one of the largest American defense and aerospace corporations in the world. WITH 2023 the company changed its name to RTX, combining Pratt divisions & Whitney (engines), Collins Aerospace (avionics) та Raytheon (air defense, rockets, radars).
The move is a continuation of the Pentagon's recent decisions to stop development of the "Next Generation Operational Command System" (SOUNP) - programs, which in 2010 year received by Raytheon, and which has faced delays and cost overruns over the years. The contract effectively returns Lockheed Martin to the role of prime contractor for the GPS ground segment. When the SOUNP program began to fall behind, in 2016 year, the Air Force turned to Lockheed Martin for the modernization of the air defense system, so that it can control the newer GPS III satellites. Initially, PRA was conceived as a program to support outdated systems, but over time it was expanded due to constant delays of the SOUNP. Gradual updates allowed the PRA to take over the functions, which were originally planned for SOUNP.
The Space Force continues to work with RTX to phase out the SOUNP. Recently, the Pentagon awarded the company a modification of the contract for 45 million dollars for SOUNP Block 0, to provide the latest GPS III launch and estimate, as parts of the system can be integrated into the PRA.
Source: https://spacenews.com