RTX's Long-Delayed $7 Billion GPS-Tracking Network Is Still Troubled, GAO Says

The US Space Force's new GPS control system, developed by RTX for $7.6 billion, is facing further delays and scrutiny due to persistent technical issues. Originally scheduled for delivery in October, the system is now expected to be delivered by December, at the earliest, according to the Pentagon's Defense Contract Management Agency. This delay pushes back the Space Force's testing and operational readiness timeline, which was initially set for December 2025. The Government Accountability Office, in a review of the military's GPS program, highlighted "significant challenges" encountered during RTX's own testing phases. These challenges, including "product deficiencies," raise concerns about further delays and jeopardize the system's timely implementation. The Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) is designed to enhance the security and resilience of the GPS network against potential jamming attempts. This delay adds to the existing concerns surrounding the project, which is already seven years behind schedule and 73% over budget. Lawmakers have expressed frustration over the project's mismanagement and cost overruns. The delay in OCX's deployment impacts not only the military's access to secure GPS but also has implications for civilian users who rely on the system's accuracy and reliability.