The U.S. Space Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $509.7 million contract for two more Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, expanding the military's investment in the advanced GPS III Follow-on (GPS IIIF) constellation aimed at bolstering both civilian and defense navigation services.
The new satellites, GPS IIIF-21 and IIIF-22, are scheduled for delivery by 2031, according to a contract announcement issued Tuesday. The order is part of a broader agreement signed in 2018 that allows for procurement of up to 22 satellites in total. With this latest option exercised, the Space Force has now ordered 12 spacecraft under the contract, raising its total value to $4.1 billion.
The GPS IIIF series is the newest evolution of the U.S. military's satellite navigation network, which supports more than 6 billion users globally across defense, commercial, and civil sectors. The upgraded satellites feature significantly enhanced anti-jamming technology, higher accuracy, and new mission capabilities to address emerging threats and support search-and-rescue operations.
In addition to improved positioning and timing performance, GPS IIIF satellites will carry an advanced nuclear detonation detection system and a next-generation search-and-rescue payload, reflecting the program's growing emphasis on multi-mission capabilities.
The procurement comes as the Space Force accelerates efforts to modernize and secure its space-based infrastructure amid growing concerns over signal interference and geopolitical threats.