Cybersecurity Policy Report, GPS Resiliency Bill Included in House-Passed NDAA, (Jul 24, 2026)

By Paul Kirby

Legislation that would direct the president to accelerate the modernization of the Global Positioning System was included as an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027, which passed the House Wednesday.

The NDAA (H.R. 8800, 119th Cong. (2026)) was approved by a vote of 216-212 (CPR, July 23).

Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R., Ind.) sponsored the amendment, which would direct the president to accelerate the modernization of the GPS Enterprise, including the development and deployment of GPS III generation satellites; a more secure and capable control system; and new signals, such as L5.

The similar GPS Modernization Acceleration Act (H.R. 9880, 119th Cong. (2026)) was also introduced Wednesday by Rep. Shreve and co-sponsored by Reps. Sheri Biggs (R., S.C.), Mike Haridopolos (R., Fla.), Pat Harrigan (R., N.C.), and Vince Fong (R., Calif.). The measure was referred to the House Armed Services and Transportation and Infrastructure committees.

The measure says that within 180 days, the “President shall accelerate the transition to a modernized GPS Enterprise to enhance the resilience and security of the GPS.”

The acceleration should include, among other things, “a clear timeline for the development and deployment of a full constellation of 24 GPS IIIF satellites and associated ground control segment upgrades” and “prioritization of the L5 signal for civilian and military applications to augment legacy frequencies and provide additional resilience.”

Within 180 days and annually for up to three years after that, the Defense secretary, in coordination with the Transportation secretary, would have to submit a report to Congress that, among other things, provides details on progress in transitioning to a modern GPS and positioning, navigation, and timing enterprise; an evaluation of interagency coordination; a description of ways to counter GPS military and civil interference as well as jamming and spoofing; and necessary funding.

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