Raytheon has successfully conducted a ‘Run For Record’ test of the US Air Force’s (USAF) global positioning system next-generation operational control system’s (GPS OCX) black wide area network (B-WAN).

B-WAN provides network connectivity to unclassified external interfaces for GPS OCX, which is a ground-based command and control system designed to manage GPS satellites with enhanced accuracy and precision.

During the component-level testing, which included mission capability and cyber controls, B-WAN scored a 100% requirement pass rate.

"This latest milestone shows that OCX will function securely with external interfaces to GPS, demonstrating the maturity of this critical development programme."

Raytheon GPS OCX vice-president and programme manager Bill Sullivan said: "This latest milestone shows that OCX will function securely with external interfaces to GPS, demonstrating the maturity of this critical development programme."

Scheduled to replace the current GPS operational control system, GPS OCX is being developed by Raytheon under contract to the USAF Space and Missile Systems Center.

GPS OCX provides modernised capabilities for GPS users, including robust cybersecurity and deployment of jam-resistant and operational military code.

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The completion of the test marks a major milestone in the GPS OCX development, which is being delivered in blocks, with Block 0 comprising the Launch and Checkout System to support the GPS III satellite launches.

Block 1 allows the USAF to transition from its current GPS ground controls to the modernised and secure GPS OCX, while Block 2 includes GPS Navigation Warfare enhancements.

The B-WAN will be deployed as part of OCX Block 1 and Block 0, and will be put to use for the first time in 2017.