L-3 Announces First-Ever Successful Gun Firing of Next-Generation M-Code GPS Receiver

L-3 Communications announced today that its Interstate Electronics Corporation (L-3 IEC) business successfully completed multiple test firings of its next-generation Military Code (M-Code) GPS receiver. This represents a noteworthy breakthrough in GPS receiver modernization and validates the unit’s survivability and performance in extreme, guided munitions environments.

L-3’s gun-hardened, next-generation M-Code GPS receiver prototype was fired from a 155mm Howitzer and tracked the M-Prime signal from several modernized satellites to successful target impacts. This achievement represents the first-ever use of the M-Code GPS technology in a weapon system and provides critical validation of the hardware and software performance in a projectile. Also, this successful test supports a Congressional mandate to implement M-Code technology on all future and existing U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) platforms and objectives for technical innovations capable of offsetting future threats. L-3’s next-generation design presents a flexible hardware and software configuration for GPS integrators and is capable of tracking legacy and modernized signals. The receiver will be applicable on a variety of host platforms, including guided munitions, unmanned aerial systems, soldier systems and ground mobile systems.

“Our backward- and forward-compatible next-generation receiver provides a proven, low-cost solution for development programs, as well as an upgrade option for current fielded systems,” said Todd Gautier, president of L-3’s Precision Engagement sector. “Our solution will support a seamless technology transition when M-Code is fully operational and deployed, and the design meets long-term security and information assurance standards.”