The US Space Forces have officially canceled the Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) program, which was supposed to serve as the new nerve center for GPS satellites.
This decision was made on April 17, based on a proposal from the Defense Procurement Command, after it became clear that the system was unable to deliver the required capabilities within the specified time frame and at an “unacceptable” level of risk.
The goal of “OCX” was to replace the current ground control system known as “AEP,” and give the forces advanced capabilities to control satellites, manage launches, and deal with malfunctions.
However, during the integration phase with the broader GPS infrastructure in July 2025, “significant structural issues” emerged. The command warned that continuing to operate with these defects would have jeopardized existing military and civilian positioning services.
Total program costs through January 2026 amounted to approximately $6.27 billion.
As a result of the ongoing delays faced by OCX, the US Army has continued to update its legacy AEP system over the past decade, which is the system that still runs the constellation today. Following the cancellation, efforts will now focus on developing the capabilities of the existing ground system rather than creating an entirely new system. (militarnyi)
