The Air Force has declared the newest Global Positioning System satellite to be fully operational, according to a Dec. 19 statement from prime contractor Lockheed Martin. Air Force Space Command operators shepherded launch of the GPS IIR-16M satellite from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., last month. It is part of Lockheed’s eight-satellite Block IIR-M series. On-orbit, it joined two other Block IIR-M satellites and 12 original IIR satellites, according to Lockheed.
The Air Force plans to have its new Integrated Capabilities Command stood up by the end of 2024, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said May 2, offering new details of one of the signature reforms announced by the service earlier this year. Allvin said around 500-800 Airmen will…