Raytheon has completed software Iteration 1.5 Critical Design Review (iCDR) for the Global Positioning System (GPS) Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX).

The Iteration 1.5 software development provides the mission-critical Launch and Checkout System (LCS) software to support the first GPS III satellite launch and serves as the cyber-hardened baseline to which additional capabilities will be added to complete OCX Blocks 1 and 2.

"This successful CDR for GPS OCX's Iteration 1.5 software is a major milestone and demonstrates that OCX is on track to support the first GPS III satellite launch and to deliver critical Block 1 and 2 capabilities," said Matthew Gilligan, Raytheon's GPS OCX program manager and a vice president with Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services business.

"Iteration 1.5 also provides the initial OCX baseline for key deployments and early site integration scheduled for early 2014 at Schriever and Vandenberg Air Force Bases."

The Raytheon-built GPS OCX has recently achieved several key milestones, setting the stage for GPS III launch support:

+ LCS, which is a subset of Iteration 1.5, recently completed the third of five GPS III launch readiness exercises in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center and Lockheed Martin.

+ LCS recently received Interim Authority To Test certification for one year with no liens, demonstrating that Raytheon meets the Air Force's high standards for Information Assurance as this critical national system is developed.

+ The Iteration 1.5 development software will enter system test and evaluation in late 2013 in preparation for LCS system acceptance testing in 2014.

GPS OCX provides command, control and mission management for the GPS constellation, including the IIR, IIR-M and IIF satellites, as well as the new GPS III satellites, in a system that is protected against current and future cyber threats. OCX enables full navigation messaging on the new L2 and L5 civil signals as well as the new, jam-resistant military signal (M-Code), providing essential new capabilities to military, civil and commercial users worldwide.

OCX supports the new L1C civil signal on GPS III satellites to provide interoperability with international global navigation satellite systems, such as Europe's Galileo. With its built-in automation and compact, efficient, service-oriented architecture, OCX increases operator efficiency, reduces operator requirements, is less expensive to maintain than current GPS control systems, and provides the ability to evolve as the GPS system evolves.