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.
If the Air Force is in line for a big budget bump from President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget in 2027, the head of Air Combat Command said he would make aircraft spare parts his top spending priority—but cautioned that more money to buy parts won’t equal a…
