Lockheed's New GPS Satellite Enters Orbit, Promising Sharper Accuracy And Tougher Security

Lockheed Martin successfully launches its 9th GPS III satellite, enhancing warfighter operations and showcasing US technology leadership.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:55am

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Lockheed Martin Corporation has successfully launched its ninth GPS III satellite (SV09) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The satellite will strengthen military navigation with enhanced security, superior anti-jamming, and precise timing in contested environments, offering up to three-times better accuracy and eight-times stronger jamming resistance compared to previous GPS satellites.

Why it matters

The launch of the GPS III SV09 satellite is a significant milestone for Lockheed Martin and the U.S. military, as it enhances the capabilities of the GPS network and demonstrates the country's technological leadership in this critical area. Improved GPS accuracy and security are crucial for military operations, particularly in contested environments.

The details

The GPS III SV09 satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and achieved signal acquisition shortly after launch. The satellite carries a laser retroreflector array to enhance future GPS signal performance by improving measurements of Earth's orientation within the GPS coordinate system. Lockheed Martin has finished building GPS III satellites SV01–SV10 and is now producing the next-generation GPS IIIF spacecraft, which will provide 60-times more anti-jam capabilities.

  • The GPS III SV09 satellite was launched on January 28, 2026 at 11:53 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The players

Lockheed Martin Corporation

An American aerospace, arms, defense, information security, and technology corporation that works extensively with the U.S. Department of Defense and other U.S. government agencies.

Malik Musawwir

The vice president of Navigation Systems at Lockheed Martin.

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What they’re saying

“By adding more resilient satellites to the constellation, we're laying the foundation for the GPS IIIF‑era, which will provide 60-times more anti-jam capabilities. The ongoing investment in GPS III launches and additional GPS IIIF satellites ensures uninterrupted, precise navigation and timing for our forces, even in contested or denied environments.”

— Malik Musawwir, Vice President of Navigation Systems

What’s next

Lockheed Martin will release its fourth-quarter earnings report on January 29, 2026, where investors will be closely watching the company's financial performance and outlook for the GPS III and IIIF satellite programs.

The takeaway

The successful launch of the GPS III SV09 satellite represents a significant advancement in the U.S. military's GPS capabilities, providing enhanced security, accuracy, and resilience in contested environments. This launch underscores Lockheed Martin's technological leadership and the ongoing investment in modernizing the GPS network to meet the evolving needs of warfighters.