DCMA supports airlift of GPS III at Buckley SFB

DCMA Space Enterprise

In the early hours of Jan. 6, GPS III Space Vehicle 10, known as SV10, was loaded aboard a C-17 Globemaster III here, marking another major milestone in advancing the nation's most trusted positioning, navigation and timing capability.

The mission, conducted to safeguard high-value hardware and align with exact transport timelines, culminated the efforts of personnel from DCMA Space Enterprise, Space Force, Air Force, Air Mobility Command and industry partners. Their coordination ensured SV10's safe transfer from the production facility to its next staging location for final processing ahead of launch.

Air Force Col. Paul Ferguson, commander of DCMA Space Enterprise, participated in the operation, which the local DCMA Space Enterprise Denver team supported.

"Each GPS III satellite we deliver reinforces the nation's ability to conduct joint operations, protect our forces, and support billions of people who rely on precise navigation and timing every day," said Ferguson. "This capability is foundational to both national defense and the global economy."

GPS III satellites bring advanced mission payloads, increased signal power, enhanced anti-jam capability, and improved accuracy, ensuring the GPS enterprise remains the global benchmark for positioning, navigation and timing, said Ferguson. DCMA's oversight includes contract administration, production surveillance, quality assurance and final acceptance for delivery.

According to a 2019 National Institute of Standards and Technology report, GPS's positive economic impact is estimated to be more than $2 trillion in adjusted 2025 dollars in the US alone.

"Our workforce plays a vital role in safeguarding the GPS capability the world depends on, and they should take great pride in that responsibility," said Ferguson.

The SV10 transfer required support from DCMA quality assurance specialists, engineers and program integrators working alongside the Space Systems Command and the prime contractor. After final inspections, the satellite's transport container was sealed and certified for flight, culminating in the C-17's departure under tightly controlled low-light conditions.

The moment held personal significance for Ferguson, who more than two decades ago served as a C-17 maintenance officer as a lieutenant.

"Standing beside a C-17 again, now as part of a combined Air Force, Space Force and DCMA team, underscores how every element of our enterprise contributes to mission success," Ferguson said. "It's a powerful reminder of the teamwork that drives our nation's space capabilities."

The C-17 departed just before midnight and landed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Subsequent satellite vehicles, under the GPS III Follow-On contract, will bring additional civilian benefits to include global search and rescue support.

GPS remains one of the most widely relied-upon capabilities fielded by the War Department, supporting global joint operations and enabling essential services across aviation, communications, finance, agriculture, scientific research and many everyday technologies.

With the successful shipment of GPS III SV10, DCMA Space Enterprise, working in concert with Air Force and Space Force partners, continues its vital role in strengthening space domain mission assurance and delivering world-class capability for the warfighter.