The US Space Force is struggling to modernize the Global Positioning System amid rising interference threats, but rocket delays are complicating efforts. United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket, intended to launch the final GPS satellites, has suffered multiple solid rocket booster anomalies in recent flights, grounding the program for months.

GPS modernization is critical as interference incidents have surged 500 percent in 2024, with spoofing attacks increasing in conflict zones like the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The Space Force needs to replace aging satellites from the 1990s and expand M-code military signals and L5 civilian signals that resist jamming. Currently, only 19 of 31 operational GPS satellites broadcast the more robust L5 signal.

RTX's delayed control software upgrades and ULA's Vulcan rocket problems have created a perfect storm for GPS modernization. The rocket's latest anomaly on February 12 mirrored a previous failure, forcing another investigation. With 26 of 31 GPS satellites now carrying M-code capability, the constellation maintains global coverage but with little margin for error. These technical setbacks come as GPS interference threatens everything from airline safety to military operations.