Support Equipment

Global Positioning System III / GPS Block III

Global Positioning System III / GPS Block III is the Lockheed Martin-built U.S. military navigation-satellite family that modernizes the GPS constellation with M-code, the L1C civil signal, improved accuracy, and stronger anti-jamming performance. It is the generation launched from 2018 onward before the GPS III Follow-On line, and it serves as a precision position, navigation, and timing space vehicle rather than a battlefield weapon in the catalog sense.

Various Conflicts🏳️ Unspecified

Global Positioning System III / GPS Block III, Military navigation satellite family, Support Equipment

Image source: GPS.gov Images

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Corporation
Type: Military navigation satellite family
Service note: 2018-present
Designer: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Corporation
Number built: 10 satellites (SV01-SV10)
Variants: GPS III SV01-SV10
Developed from: GPS Block IIF
Developed into: GPS III Follow-On (IIIF)

Also Known As

GPS III
GPS Block III
GPS III space vehicle
GPS Block III space vehicle

gpspntsatellitespace

Specifications

System type: Military navigation satellite family
Orbit: Medium Earth orbit with a roughly 12-hour orbital period
Signals: M-code military signals and the L1C civil signal
Accuracy: Three times greater positional accuracy than prior GPS generations
Anti-jamming: Up to eight times improved resistance to jamming
Design life: 15 years

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: The first GPS III satellite launched in December 2018, the first spacecraft was set healthy and active to users in January 2020, and the fifth reached healthy status in May 2022 as the constellation modernized.
Used by: United States Space Force
Wars: Various Conflicts

Conflict Usage

Side: 🏳️Unspecified

Exact model: GPS III / GPS Block III space vehicles. GPS III provides navigation and timing signals for military users, but I found no public source treating a GPS III satellite itself as used in a specific armed conflict.

Timeline

Global Positioning System III / GPS Block III Key Events

Dec 23, 2018
First GPS III satellite launched
The Air Force and mission partners launched the first GPS III satellite from Cape Canaveral on SpaceX's Falcon 9, opening the GPS III era.
Sources: First GPS III satellite successfully launched
Jan 1, 2020
First GPS III satellite set healthy and active
GPS.gov's space-segment chronology records the first GPS III satellite as healthy and active to users in January 2020 after on-orbit checkout.
Sources: Space Segment | GPS.gov
May 25, 2022
Fifth GPS III satellite reaches healthy status
GPS.gov records the fifth GPS III satellite as healthy and usable, showing the family moving deeper into operational service.
Sources: Space Segment | GPS.gov

Global Positioning System III / GPS Block III Images

Global Positioning System III / GPS Block III, Military navigation satellite family, Support Equipment - view 1 — Source: GPS.gov Images

Global Positioning System III / GPS Block III, Military navigation satellite family, Support Equipment - view 2 — Source: GPS.gov Images

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Sources

Global Positioning System (GPS) SatellitesPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Lockheed Martin manufacturer background for the GPS III / IIIF family and the company's product framing for the satellite line. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Space Segment | GPS.govPublisher: GPS.gov | Note: Supports GPS III / IIIF space-segment specifications, the L1C civil signal, enhanced reliability, accuracy, integrity, 15-year design life, and the first launch in 2018. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Global Positioning SystemPublisher: U.S. Space Force | Note: Supports the GPS constellation mission, orbital period, user base, and the position, navigation, and timing role of the satellite family. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 First GPS III satellite successfully launchedPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the first GPS III launch, the Lockheed Martin-built spacecraft context, and the reported three-times accuracy and eight-times anti-jamming improvements. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 GPS Modernization | GPS.govPublisher: GPS.gov | Note: Supports GPS III as part of the modernization sequence after GPS Block IIF and the transition toward GPS III Follow-On (IIIF). | Accessed: 2026-06-23 GPS.gov ImagesPublisher: GPS.gov | Note: Supports provenance for the GPS III satellite and launch images used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Lockheed Martin GPS III production updatePublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the completed GPS III production run through SV01-SV10 and the company's transition to GPS IIIF manufacturing. | Accessed: 2026-06-23