Software Milestone for Next-Generation GPS Ground Control System

Raytheon announced that it successfully completed the critical design review for software iteration 1.4 of the OCX, Air Force’s Next Generation Operational Control System for the GPS satellite constellation. This shows that the OCX design is at a high level of maturity, states the company’s Aug. 1 release. “This is a major step forward for OCX that demonstrates we are on track to support GPS III launch,” said Ray Kolibaba, Raytheon’s GPS OCX program manager. Software iteration 1.4 provides the initial command and control capability for the GPS III satellites, the first of which is scheduled for launch in 2014. OCX is the next-generation ground system that is designed to provide the command, control, and mission management for GPS spacecraft, which provide critical space-based positioning, navigation, and timing functions to the US military and civil users worldwide.