The Air Force’s next-generation control segment for Global Positioning System satellites, commonly known as OCX, will allow operators to command up to 64 GPS satellites, twice as many as is possible with the current control element, say Air Force officials. The service chose Raytheon in February to supply OCX to replace the existing architecture evolution plan, or AEP, ground system. As part of its activities, Raytheon will install OCX hardware and software at GPS control stations at Schriever AFB, Colo., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Lt. Col. Deanna Burt, 2nd Space Operations Squadron commander at Schriever, said OCX will allow Air Force operators to control future GPS Block III satellites as well as current Block IIR, Block IIR-M, and Block IIF spacecraft. (Schriever report by Jennifer Thibault)
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…