AFLCMC Signs Transition Plan, Standardizing Military GPS Programs Under Air Force

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  • By MGUE Program Office, Joint Program Office, Maritime Aviation Receiver (JPO MAR)
LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE — On May 28, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) signed the Military GPS User Equipment Transition Support Plan, officially accepting the MGUE Increment (Inc) 1 and 2 programs from the U.S. Space Force.

The agreement finalizes the Air Force’s full ownership of these critical navigation modernization efforts, centralizing the development and fielding of resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing solutions under the Military Code Aviation Receivers Joint Program Office.

"This means the M-Code Aviation Receivers Joint Program Office can take a life-cycle approach to developing and fielding GPS capability, ultimately making our forces more lethal on the battlefield," said 1st Lt. Milton Bugg, MGUE Increment 2 program manager.

This strategic realignment began Nov. 25, 2024, with the establishment of the M-Code Aviation Receivers Joint Program Office to improve oversight and promote efficient integration of PNT across the Services.

On April 9, 2025, the Air Force and Space Force service acquisition executives approved a formal transfer plan. Acquisition authority for MGUE programs transferred to the Air Force on Dec. 1, 2025, and an Air Force materiel leader assumed responsibility for the programs at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, Jan. 15.

In accordance with the approved transition plan, the services completed the transfer May 28. The transition support plan was signed by Lt. Gen. Donna Shipton, then-commander of AFLCMC. 

Throughout the transition, the Space Force provided technical engineering expertise, administrative documentation, and personnel support to ensure a seamless handoff without disrupting operations.

While the Air Force now executes the MGUE programs as a part of the GPS enterprise, the Space Force continues to manage the ground and space segments. Moving forward, the two services will continue strengthening their partnership to preserve the integrity of the GPS enterprise for military and civilian users.

"The interservice-transfer of our programs ties technology development more closely to fielding PNT solutions, which is a huge win for the joint warfighter," said 2nd Lt. Brookelyn Anderson, AFLCMC Electronic Systems MGUE Increment 1 project manager.

MGUE Increment 1 and 2 programs represent significant upgrades to GPS user equipment, providing warfighters with more secure, accurate, and resilient PNT capabilities. The systems feature advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technology to improve performance in contested environments.

Consolidating the programs under the MAR JPO enables the Department of War to better manage cost, schedule, performance and risk while improving fielding and sustainment.