Home / Technology / US Military GPS Gets Major Upgrade: Jamming Resistance Soars
US Military GPS Gets Major Upgrade: Jamming Resistance Soars
24 Feb
Summary
- New GPS IIIF satellites offer significantly enhanced jamming resistance.
- Regional Military Protection focuses M-code energy on specific areas.
- Satellites will also include a search-and-rescue payload.
Lockheed Martin asserts that the next generation of U.S. military GPS satellites, known as GPS IIIF, will significantly improve the constellation's resilience against interference. Vice President Malik Musawwir described the upcoming satellites as a "game changer" in addressing jamming and spoofing challenges. These advancements aim to counter escalating threats that have raised concerns among military leaders and lawmakers.
The GPS IIIF program builds upon the foundation of GPS III satellites, which already broadcast the encrypted M-code for enhanced security and jam resistance. The new satellites will introduce Regional Military Protection (RMP), a feature that allows for focusing encrypted M-code energy into a specific region via a high-gain spot beam. This concentration of energy boosts the signal strength for military users, making it harder for adversaries to disrupt.
Beyond RF enhancements, the GPS IIIF satellites will incorporate a search-and-rescue payload to speed up the location of distress beacons. Lockheed Martin is also exploring optical communications, with the final GPS III satellite testing a laser communications terminal. This technology could enable future advancements in satellite-to-satellite communication and on-orbit payload flexibility.
