16 Years and $8 Billion Later, the US Military's New GPS Software Still Doesn't Work

The US Space Force’s Next-Generation Operational Control System (OCX) for GPS remains non-operational nine months after the military took ownership. The system, developed by RTX (formerly Raytheon) for over $8 billion across 16 years, is one of the most expensive software failures in US government history.

What Went Wrong

OCX was supposed to modernize how the US military controls the GPS satellite constellation. Instead, it became a case study in defense procurement dysfunction. The project has been plagued by schedule delays, cost overruns, and technical failures that have persisted across multiple administrations and Pentagon leadership changes.

Nine months after the Space Force formally accepted the system, it still can’t perform its core mission: controlling GPS satellites.

Why It Matters

GPS isn’t just a military tool — it underpins everything from civilian navigation to financial transaction timing, agricultural automation, and emergency services. The control system that manages these satellites is critical infrastructure that affects billions of people globally.

The $8 billion price tag is roughly 4x the original estimate. For context, SpaceX built and launched an entire reusable rocket program for less.

The Bottom Line

$8 billion and 16 years for software that doesn’t work is the kind of failure that would kill a private company. In defense contracting, it’s called a “program.” The GPS OCX debacle underscores why the Pentagon is increasingly looking to Silicon Valley for technology rather than traditional defense contractors.