Bill Gattle, president of Harris’ space and intelligence systems division. said the design is “fully mature” and “not a prototype.”

The current GPS III satellite navigation payload, also built by Harris, contains a three times reduction in range error, an eight times increase in anti-jamming power, added signals including compatibility with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and stronger signal integrity.

The next generation of the GPS III navigation payload plans to build on that foundation with stronger signals, flexibility in adapting advancing GPS technology, and subsequent changes being implemented on a mission-by-mission need basis. Furthermore, the next-gen navigation payload will also grant the clock signal for a new GPS III Search and Rescue (SAR) payload.

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor on the Air Force’s GPS III satellites.