GPS and Quantum Navigation: Resilient, UltraPrecise Position

A Proven Backbone: The GPS Constellation

Since the launch of the first Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, the constellation has become the backbone of navigation in modern society, supporting everything from civilian navigation to critical defense operations.

The Lockheed Martin-built GPS III and upcoming GPS IIIF satellites embody a design philosophy that emphasizes environmental, operational and signal resilience to provide state-of-the-art navigation capabilities.

• Environmental resilience: Engineered to survive hurricane-force conditions, severe space weather events, and high radiation environments
• Operational resilience: Hardened against cyber-attacks, kinetic threats, and the extreme effects of nuclear detonations
• Signal resilience: Equipped with boosted MCode for secure, antijamming and anti-spoofing access by U.S. and allied warfighters

Lockheed Martin designs each GPS III and IIIF satellite with a modular architecture, which allows us to easily integrate new technologies and capabilities to address emerging threats and enhance resilience.

• GPS III - Delivers up to 8× the antijamming power for operations compared to legacy spacecraft.
• GPS IIIF - Introduces Regional Military Protection (RMP), delivering up to 63× antijamming through beam focusing techniques.
• Civilian Search & Rescue - Specialized emergency signal processing that rapidly notifies authorities of distressed users.
• Nuclear Detection System - Monitors unsanctioned nuclear detonations, supporting global treaty compliance.

The Quantum Leap: Why Lockheed Martin is Investing in Quantum Navigation

The future of navigation is going to rely on a suite of technologies that provide a robust, resilient positioning capability. This suite includes a game-changing new technology: field-ready, high-impact quantum sensors.

These sensors are ultra precise, operate independently of satellite signals and can be paired with existing Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions like GPS to deliver unmatched capability.

While the potential is great, quantum navigation technology is operating in beta stages. Lockheed Martin is investing in its development, leveraging our engineering expertise and collaborating with companies like Q-CTRL and AOSense to develop next-generation quantum navigation sensors for advanced defense platforms.

We're also accelerating quantum technology's transition from the lab to operational hardware through our participation in DoD-funded programs, including the Defense Innovation Unit's effort to prototype a quantum-enabled Inertial Navigation System (INS).

GPS and Quantum Working Together for Your Benefit

Imagine you are driving through a multi-level parking garage and navigating on your smartphone, in a world where both the robust GPS constellation and quantum navigation exist.

Your location, the blue dot (GPS), may drift several meters because concrete and steel structures can interfere with the satellite signal. If your phone has access to a quantum sensor in addition to GPS, the dot snaps precisely to the vehicle's true location. In this scenario:

• GPS determines the initial "big picture" position, providing the range of known locations with civilian global Earth coverage
• Quantum sensing refines that picture, delivering pinpoint accuracy in conjunction with GPS signals, even in contested environments

The synergy will lie in a unified PNT framework where GPS establishes a reliable baseline, while quantum sensors continuously enhance that baseline. This combined approach ensures continuous, high accuracy positioning for warfighters operating in contested environments.

More Than a Technological Overlay

The partnership between our current GPS constellation and cutting-edge quantum navigation is more than a technological overlay - it's a strategic evolution that guarantees warfighters an unbroken line of sight to their exact location, regardless of environment or adversary challenges. As quantum sensors move from lab benches to the battlefield, they will enhance the reliability, accuracy and survivability of the GPS system that already underpins modern operations.

Together, GPS and quantum navigation create a robust, multilayered PNT solution that will form the foundation for next-generation all domain missions and provide a decisive advantage for warfighters.