Anti-Jamming GPS Upgrades Coming This Year

2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for the Space Force’s efforts to strengthen GPS systems against jamming and spoofing threats, according to a senior official.

“We’ve now aligned the entire architecture around countering jamming and spoofing threats,” said Cordell A. DeLaPena, program executive officer for military communications and position, navigation, and timing, during an April 29 virtual Schriever Spacepower talk hosted by AFA’s Mitchell Institute.

DeLaPena emphasized that GPS remains the most accurate, reliable, and widely available global navigation system. “We’re still the global leader,” he said.

However, the threat landscape is shifting. Russia’s use of electronic warfare in Ukraine and growing concerns about China’s ability to disrupt GPS access have highlighted the urgency of hardening the system. Jamming GPS signals—by overwhelming them with powerful radio frequencies on the same channel—can severely disrupt military operations.

To address this, the Department of Defense has been upgrading satellites, receivers, and software. Each component faced delays, but DeLaPena said the pieces are finally falling into place. “All three paths—space, control, and user equipment—converge in 2025,” he said. “That’s when warfighters will be able to rely on, and begin training with, true anti-jam capabilities.”