The Defense Science Board says the Global Positioning System constellation should grow to 30 satellites—to offset what it terms the “significant risk” posed by the current reconstitution and modernization plan. In a report released last week (but dated October 2005), the well-regarded panel recommends that USAF develop the next-generation GPS Block III satellites in weights that would permit launch of two sats at a time. That says DSB would help reign in costs that might prohibit fleet expansion. The board also wants to improve the ability for GPS to defend itself against electronic jamming and expand signal availability.
B-21 Temporary Shelters Could Also Shelter B-2s
March 5, 2021
The Air Force's experimental runway shelter for the new B-21 bomber is large enough to cover it or the B-2, and therefore reveals no information about the dimensions of the new aircraft. Two such shelters will be evaluated, but the maker of the second version hasn't been chosen yet.