The Air Force and Lockheed Martin say the first modernized Global Positioning System passed its on-orbit check, enabling the 2nd Space Operations Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colo., to declare it operational. GPS IIR-14 (M) provides increased signal power, two new military signals, enhanced military encryption and anti-jamming capability, and a second civil signal.
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
