The 2007 Air Force budget request allots $315 million to the Global Positioning System Block III satellite program, which is to offer higher anti-jam capabilities and improved accuracy and availability and integrity, as well as the capability to deny adversary use. The first launch for GPS III is slated for 2013. The 2007 dollars would fund a development contract for the spacecraft and a modernized ground segment.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.