A strange sight over Arizona in the very early morning recently was just another Air Force Research Lab scientific balloon, according to the Holbrook (Ariz.) Tribune-News, which quoted someone as saying it looked like a “big jellyfish.” AFRL researchers from Kirtland AFB, N.M., launched the large balloon from the Holbrook Airport about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 9 to test communications signals. AFRL controlled the balloon via long-distance radio waves, sending it toward Kirtland and touchdown at Tucamcari, N.M. Researches plan to make about 100 flights over the next three years from Holbrook, which was chosen due to its wind patterns and open airspace.
Pentagon Cancels $6B GPS Ground System Contract
April 20, 2026
The Pentagon has canceled its contract with RTX to field a ground segment to manage its most capable GPS satellites, a more than 15-year effort beleaguered by software development issues and cost overages.