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Session C10: GPS in Military Applications/NAVWAR

Making RMP Work
Doug Martoccia and Tom Powell, The Aerospace Corporation
Location: Ballroom D
Date/Time: Wednesday, Jun. 4, 2:30 p.m.

U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) is currently developing a new Global Positioning System (GPS) capability to (1) command & control, (2) operationally task, (3) broadcast on demand, and (4) monitor high power Regional Military Protection (RMP) signals from GPS IIIF Space Vehicles (SVs) beginning in the 2026 timeframe. RMP will provide high-power Military Code (M-Code) signals to mitigate the impacts of regional jamming. Final Operational Capability (FOC), with 18 or more RMP-capable SVs, is forecast to be achieved in approximately FY36, and a full constellation of RMP-capable SVs is scheduled by 2040. SSC is also developing initial Military GPS User Equipment (MGUE) Increment 2 (Inc 2) ground applications cards and a handheld receiver that will be capable of tracking RMP signals. The MGUE Inc 2 ground receivers will require extensive hardware and software modifications to support other types of application: for example, Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs).
Although U.S. military service branches are making gradual progress on their M-Code MGUE Increment 1 (Inc 1) fielding plans, RMP is not yet compatible with this upgrade (i.e., it is only presently compatible with MGUE Inc 2). MGUE Inc 1 systems that wish to employ RMP will require modification to develop and integrate an operational RMP capability. As an initial step towards achieving RMP capability, a study will examine all the steps required for end-to-end integration of RMP, which will also clarify operational concepts, reduce risks, resolve residual technical disconnects, and validate the RMP design.
This effort is intended to conduct the required systems engineering, develop a digital systems model, and perform an end-to-end demonstration of RMP capability for a typical PGM application. Ideally, these activities can be supported and evolved within a common, easily deployable developmental environment. For this initial demonstration, the focus will be on emulating RMP data flows, state machines, processing logic, etc. to the extent necessary to ensure the end-to-end system supports all identified use cases. As this RMP demonstration environment matures, digital emulations will be augmented with engineering development and eventually prototype hardware.

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