Air Force officials have begun test transmissions of the new L-5 safety-of-life navigation signal from the newest Global Positioning System satellite as part of the satellite’s on-orbit checkout phase. The Air Force launched this satellite into space on May 27. It is the first in the Boeing-built Block IIF series. Among its features is the L-5 signal for civil pilots. The initial test transmissions of L-5 began June 5 and will take place intermittently during the satellite’s three-month phase of on-orbit testing. All Block IIF spacecraft will transmit L-5, as will future GPS Block III satellites. (Los Angeles release)
New GBSD Will Fly in 2023; No Margin Left for Minuteman
June 14, 2021
The first Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent missile will fly by the end of 2023, and not a moment too soon, as the Minuteman III ICBM is becoming increasingly costly and challenging to keep credible, strategic system managers and commanders said during an AFA virtual forum. They also discussed initial operating and…