The US Department of Defense extended the contract with Raytheon to develop the OCX (Next Generation Operational Control System) — a new ground control system for GPS satellites. The amount of the last contract was $379,7 million, which increases the total cost of the program to approx $4,6 billion, starting with its launch in 2010 year.
What is OCX and why is it important??
The OCX system is designed to modernize the management of the constellation of GPS satellites, including support for new features:
- Improved cyber security
- Support for encrypted military signals
- Compatibility with the new GPS III and GPS IIIF satellites
- Resistance to threats in electronic warfare zones
However, OCX has become a symbol of failure in the field of defense software, with numerous delays due to the scale and complexity of development. The system was supposed to be ready in 2018 year, but its completion is now expected only in 2026 year.
Current status
The system has already implemented 130 successful contacts with active satellites and transmitted the signal for the first time, generated by the new software. In October 2025 OCX is planned to be transferred to the US Space Operations Command, after which a trial period and a gradual switchover from the current management architecture will begin.
The final phase — the so-called “constellation transfer event” — will last about eight weeks initially 2026 financial year, to avoid service interruptions. Full commissioning of the system is planned for spring 2026 year.
The push for reforms
Lessons learned from the OCX project have already influenced the Pentagon's approach to software procurement. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in the spring 2025 instructed all departments to abandon "monolithic" procurement models, as in the case of OCX, in favor of flexible, modular, open architectures.
Major General Stephen Purdy, who heads space procurement at Space Force, emphasized, that new approaches can more effectively attract Silicon Valley-style commercial innovation and contractors.
Why is it important?
The GPS system is a key component of the US military infrastructure, and also critical for civil navigation, financial transactions, energy and logistics all over the world. It is served by the constellation z 31 satellite at an altitude of approx 20 thousands of kilometers.
OCX must ensure the reliability and protection of this system in the face of the growing threat of cyber attacks and new types of military conflicts.
Source: https://spacenews.com/raytheon-secures-380-million-contract-extension-for-gps-ground-control-system/