Key Space Force Programs Pushed Back to 2024

The U.S. Space Force has indicated that three programs will only be completed in 2024 instead of by the end of 2023.

The announcement comes after Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, vowed in January to bring long-delayed Space Force efforts to completion within the year, DefenseNews reported.

Space Force representative Laura McAndrews said the Next-Generation Operational Control Segment, a ground system for GPS satellites being developed by RTX, is now scheduled for delivery in June 2024. Two OCX capability increments were set to release in January until technical issues surfaced during software testing.

Another effort facing delays is the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System, the data processing component of the Space Force’s Space Command and Control program. McAndrews said the service now expects L3Harris Technologies to deliver ATLAS’ baseline capability in August 2024 after initially targeting the end of 2023.

She noted, meanwhile, that the Missile GPS User Equipment program to increase GPS receiver resilience against electronic warfare has received clearance for testing and is set to reach final milestones within the next year. L3Harris and RTX are involved in MGUE’s development.