WASHINGTON – The Defense Logistics Agency has ordered another $315 million worth of GPS modules that can utilize a new anti-jam signal, bringing the total value of the contract with BAE Systems to $641 million.
The purchase will help get more capable Common GPS Modules into the hands of troops, whether in a handheld formfactor or installed in vehicles, aircraft and munitions. The devices are able to use the advanced M-Code, a military-only GPS signal that is more accurate and provides anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities.
While the U.S. Space Force declared baseline completion of the space segment with operational acceptance of the 24th M-Code-capable GPS satellite this summer, the military is still working to get Military GPS User Equipment that can use the signal into the hands of troops.
The contract option follows the initial $325 million award to BAE Systems in May.
“Military operations require assured positioning, navigation, and timing and our customers are shifting to M-Code to harden their GPS systems against jamming and spoofing,” said Frank Zane, navigation and sensor systems business development director at BAE Systems, in a statement. “We’re ready to meet this need today with secure, reliable M-Code GPS solutions, and we’re developing the next-generation of solutions to stay ahead of the threat.”
BAE Systems is also producing GPS receivers for American allies, after receiving an initial order from Germany. The company declined to reveal the value of that contract, noting it was relatively small, but said it was a “pathfinder” for future foreign military sales of M-Code-ready GPS receivers. And in March the Space Force announced multiple allies had signed a three-year agreement to borrow MGUE receiver cards on loan for laboratory and field testing.
Nathan Strout covers space, unmanned and intelligence systems for C4ISRNET.
