Department of Defense

The Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security.

GPS Roles and Responsibilities

• Develops, acquires, sustains, and secures the Global Positioning System, including the satellites, control segment, and military user equipment.
• The U.S. Space Force oversees GPS satellite launches and presents forces to U.S. Space Command to operate GPS on behalf of the Department of Defense, providing 24/7 operations to ensure uninterrupted service.
• Co-chairs the National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing and its subordinate bodies.
• Applies GPS technology to a broad variety of military operations, including precision guided munition strike, force tracking, search and rescue, and remote piloting of unmanned aerial vehicles.