The U.S. Space Force has terminated its Next-Generation Operational Control System (OCX) program after costs reached about $6.27 billion and the system failed to meet requirements following years of delays and technical issues. The program, originally intended to modernize command and control for GPS satellites, and awarded to RTX $RTX (formerly Raytheon), was unable to deliver “needed capabilities on an operationally relevant timeline at an acceptable level of risk,” according to the service.
Officials said the decision reflects mounting concerns over cost growth and performance failures, with the program nearly doubling earlier estimates of roughly $3.7 billion while remaining more than a decade behind schedule. Despite acceptance of the system in 2025, extensive testing revealed persistent software and integration problems that undermined its viability for operational use.The ground control system for GPS III and follow on satellites will have to be operated by systems other than OCX (U.S. Space Force).
“Regrettably, extensive system issues arose during the integrated testing of OCX with the broader GPS enterprise,” said Col. Stephen Hobbs, adding that “the challenges of onboarding the system … proved insurmountable.” He said the problems spanned “a broad range of capability areas” and posed risks to both military and civilian GPS services.
Acting acquisition executive Tom Ainsworth said the failure underscores the need to move away from costly, complex programs, stating, “It’s important we refine and update acquisition processes to prioritize rapid, incremental capability delivery versus complex ‘all or nothing’ system deliveries.” The Space Force said it will instead continue upgrading the existing GPS ground system rather than invest further in the canceled program.
The Space Force has opted to upgrade the current GPS ground system, called the Architecture Evolution Plan, amid OCX delays. The Space Force awarded Lockheed Martin LMT -0.91%↓ a $105 million firm-fixed-price contract to provide launch and on-orbit test support for the next-generation GPS IIIF satellites through March 2030, using the existing AEP.
The GPS industry wasn’t surprised at the announcement, given the many years of setbacks in the OCX saga. At the Civil GPS Service Interface Committee meeting this week in Washington, the consensus among attendees was that the cancellation was long overdue, said Dana Goward, Resilient Navigation & Timing Foundation president.
“At the same time, folks remain concerned, especially about what this means for L5 being set healthy, although OCX was only one of the variables,” Goward said. “The Space Force seems to have a well structured path forward with AEP and I think we will see more articulation and clarity for the public in the near future.”
Lisa Dyer, executive director of the GPS Innovation Alliance, said it was now time to to see the Space Force prioritize ground system improvements that will deliver measurable benefits to military, civil, commercial, and scientific users. “GPSIA is particularly eager to see GPS IIIF’s 63X anti-jamming improvements for military users and the L5 civil signal become operational,” Dyer said.
