Raytheon's GPS OCX completes factory qualification

Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Raytheon's Global Positioning System Next-Generation Operational Control System, or GPS OCX, completed its factory qualification test.

The GPS OCX is a project under development for the U.S. Air Force with the aim of enhancing navigation capabilities for military and civilian users. Raytheon officials say reaching factory qualification puts the project closer to meeting Air Force requirements.

"The completion of the Factory Qualification Test proves we can meet the U.S. Air Force requirements and are on a path to delivering the OCX LCS in 2017," program manager Bill Sullivan said in a press release. "This critical system will enable the launch of the GPS III satellites, which represents the first major capability deployment in the U.S Air Force's effort to modernize GPS."

The GPS OCX's factory qualification follows a number of other milestones for the program in 2016, including successful Critical Design Review for hardware development, LCS component-level qualification testing, and risk-reduction testing for ground system software.

In addition to providing enhanced performance and effectiveness, the GPS OCX system also aims to lift the cap on the number of satellites under the existing GPS constellation in orbit, allowing signals to reach more rural regions.

The system is also designed to improve existing cybersecurity capabilities.