GPS World, December 2017

DIRECTIONS 2018 complement of operational L1C L2C L5 and M code signals Resiliency in Control Segment As important as the satellites are the control segment is just as integral to the overall resiliency of the GPS enterprise The need to improve cyber security and protection quite honestly cannot wait until delivery of the Next Generation Operational Control System OCX To that end the directorate has focused on high payoff updates for the existing operational system For example we acquired and deployed software based GPS monitor station receivers known as Monitor Station Technology Improvement and Capability MSTIC receivers to replace the aging fleet of existing monitor station receivers The functionality and expandability of the MSTIC receiver design will facilitate adding further capabilities such as M code signal monitoring and even civil L1C L2C and L5 signal monitoring The GPS Directorate also deployed a new cybersecurity monitoring suite to enhance cyber defenses This new suite is in operation today at the GPS Master Control Station MCS Beyond just improving our cyber protection the Air Force has also stepped out on several OCX offramps to support the launch and operation of the GPS III satellites and mitigate risk of further OCX delays The Contingency Operations COps program modifies the existing Operational Control System OCS to allow the first GPS III satellites to join the operational constellation The Air Force also initiated a companion program M code Early Use MCEU to further update OCS to provide limited M code operations Together these two programs provide critical interim steps towards fielding a more resilient constellation The OCX program provides the ultimate cyber protection and assurance needed for the GPS enterprise After emerging from program recertification this year the program has focused heavily on improved software system engineering and embracing software industry best practices such as adopting DevOps and greater software automation The program has even leveraged Amazon Web Services Govt Cloud capability to provide more responsive development and test environments While the program has a long ways to go the The need to improve cyber security and protection quite honestly cannot wait until delivery of the Next Generation Operational Control System OCX To that end the Directorate has focused on high payoff updates for the existing operational system government and prime contractor Raytheon are committed to delivery to ensure a robust and secure ground infrastructure User Equipment Final Piece The final piece of the resiliency puzzle for military customers is our user equipment segment The directorate has made big strides in delivering the first set of modernized receiver cards for the Military GPS User Equipment MGUE Increment 1 program These advanced cards will enable platforms across the U S Department of Defense to leverage the new M code signal providing a tremendous boost in both anti jam and anti spoof capability They will also provide the latest in cryptography to ensure secure robust protection for the United States and its allies Down the road the Department of Defense is evaluating additional capabi l ities and plat forms for the MGUE Increment 2 program 12 GPS WORLD WWW GPSWORLD COM DECEMBER 2017 Currently envisioned to address precision guided munitions space receivers and a modernized handheld unit the Increment 2 program will be laying out an acquisition plan in this coming year to further adoption of M code signals throughout the military A consideration for the future of user equipment will be exploring processing multi GNSS signals While no decisions have been made multi GNSS could offer opportunities for even additional resiliency Final Thoughts This is an exciting time for the GPS enterprise We stand on the cusp of a new generation of capabilities that will usher in a huge increase in PNT resiliency and robustness I am astounded at the quality of work that is presented at the many GNSS and PNT conferences around the world and it is both exciting and humbling to see the community continuing to innovate ways to increase accuracy integrity availability continuity and performance Likewise I am honored to lead the men and women of the GPS Directorate as we strive to deliver on our commitments and find new innovative ways to provide robust and resilient PNT to the world This dedicated team is poised and ready to lead us into the future and we look forward to working with the entire community to continue delivering the GPS Gold Standard in space based PNT