Next-Generation GPS for Resilient Military Operations

The Air Force and Space Force are advancing GPS resiliency with the Navigation Technology Satellite 3 (NTS3), a geosynchronous testbed for next-generation position, navigation, and timing (PNT) technologies. With reprogrammable on-orbit signals, a large phased-array antenna, and software-defined receivers, NTS3 enables experimentation with innovative PNT concepts while maintaining legacy coverage—ensuring robust, reliable, and resilient GPS capabilities for the warfighter in an increasingly contested space environment.

Transcript

00:00:07 The current global position system has provided position, navigation, and timing pnt technology to our war fighters. And with the space domain becoming increasingly contested, the United States Air Force and Space Force continue to bolster GPS architecture resiliency. The Navigation Technology Satellite 3 or NTS3 is a geocynchronous orbiting test

00:00:30 bed that will enable experimentation of new PNT technologies and concepts. NTS3's agile waveform platform is a digital signal generator that can be reprogrammed on orbit, allowing for updates, modifications, or switching of the PNT signals. The NTS3's large phased array L-band antenna allows it to generate multiple spot beams while retaining legacy Earth coverage

00:00:54 broadcast capability to support the NTS3 spacecraft. AL is also developing softwaredefined reprogrammable receivers and a nextg ground control segment capable of delivering a comprehensive system solution for resilient future GPS services. Aside from generating performance data of our experimental components, this experiment focuses on testing out brand new

00:01:17 forward-looking conops for military PNT. NTS3 will provide robust, reliable, and resilient position, navigation, and timing technology to the United States war fighter.