BAE Systems Won $16 Million Navy GPS Contract
The company will upgrade the U.S. Navy's navigation infrastructure with new M-Code GPS technology.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Military
Live Poll
Do you support increased federal spending on military technology and infrastructure upgrades?
BAE Systems secured a $16 million contract from Collins Aerospace to integrate advanced DIGAR-500M GPS receivers into the U.S. Navy Joint Precision Approach and Landing System. The upgrade aims to bolster navigation security for carrier strike groups against electronic warfare threats.
Why it matters
The modernization effort provides critical protection against signal jamming and spoofing for precision approach systems. These defensive capabilities are essential for maintaining reliable navigation during operations in contested electronic environments.
The contract is valued at $16 million to integrate hardware that produces 24 simultaneous steered spatial beams. This receiver technology supports concurrent SAASM and M-Code signal processing to maintain high signal-to-noise ratios.
The players
BAE Systems
A global defense, aerospace, and security company that develops and manufactures advanced electronic systems for military applications.
Collins Aerospace
A subsidiary of RTX Corporation that provides technologically advanced aerospace and defense products for aircraft and ground infrastructure.
U.S. Navy
The maritime branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for naval operations and the maintenance of carrier strike groups.
The details
Engineers and manufacturing teams in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will handle the system integration, software development, and hardware fabrication. The DIGAR-500M system utilizes digital beamforming to isolate satellite navigation signals while actively nullifying external jamming emitters at the antenna processing stage.
Timeline
BAE Systems received the contract on October 1, 2026.
Political Context
Opposition leaders and some defense analysts have questioned the pace of military-wide electronic warfare hardening efforts across different branches of the armed forces. They argue that legacy systems in many areas remain vulnerable to low-cost jamming technology despite ongoing modernization contracts.
As Cedar Rapids serves as the engineering and manufacturing site for this project, the $16 million investment supports continued technical operations and high-skilled jobs in the local community. The upgrade ultimately enhances the operational reliability of the equipment protecting naval forces in global maritime zones.
The takeaway
The implementation of M-Code technology represents a critical shift toward hardening military assets against the rising threat of electronic signal interference. Residents of Cedar Rapids can expect sustained activity at the local engineering complex as the integration and testing phases proceed.
Further reading
For more information on defense infrastructure projects, visit our Military section.
Live Poll
Do you support increased federal spending on military technology and infrastructure upgrades?
