Both Boeing and Lockheed Martin have completed the necessary work to proceed on the Global Positioning System Block III program. Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Systems Center has awarded $50 million contracts to both companies, headed toward system design review in spring 2007. SMC officials expect to award a development contract for GPS III later this year. Meanwhile, the Air Force reportedly is considering whether to engage an independent contractor to serve as program integrator.
Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing helped save 11 airplane crash survivors off the coast of Florida on May 12. The Reserve Airmen were flying an HC-130J Combat King II and an HH-60W Jolly Green II on a routine training flight when a Coast Guard call diverted…