The U.S. Space Force successfully launched L3Harris’ Navigation Technology Satellite-3 into orbit on Wednesday, with defense leaders hoping the satellite will provide service members with reliable tracking and navigation capabilities.

According to L3Harris, the NTS-3 is the first experimental navigation satellite launched by the Department of Defense in more than 50 years and the first fully programmable positioning, navigation and timing satellite ever.

The satellite launched out of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on a United Launch Alliance-made Vulcan rocket. L3Harris praised the Vulcan, adding that the ULA-built rocket was essential for getting the NTS-3 into precise orbit. The company also noted that the Vulcan rocket uses two L3Harris-built  RL10 engines.

L3Harris said that once the satellite is in orbit, it will perform a series of experiments to improve upon U.S. PNT capabilities. The company added that the experimental technology is a necessary investment in space readiness and hopes that the satellite will improve affordability and mission timelines.

“The need for accurate and uninterrupted PNT has never been more essential to our warfighters who operate in GPS-denied environments,” L3Harris Space and Airborne Systems President Ed Zoiss said. “The successful launch of the NTS-3 system is the first step in updating 20th-century technology to help address current threats to our national security.”

The company said by leveraging “industry standard form factors and interfaces,” it was able to deliver NTS-3 three times faster and at a lower cost than similar satellite programs.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.