.ExternalClass span.maintextlarge .ExternalClass .MsoChpDefault Flight-test bases are working to mitigate the loss of radio frequencies used to transmit flight data and track aircraft and missiles following the government’s frequency auction to commercial wireless companies, according to a release. “The Federal Communications Commission is selling off government-only spectrum to facilitate [President Obama’s] broadband initiatives,” explained Tim Chalfant, instrumentation chief with the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, Calif. “This auction will result in over a 10-percent cut in spectrum available for manned aircraft telemetry,” he added. The auction took place on Nov. 13. Specialists at test bases including Edwards, Eglin AFB, Fla.; Hill AFB, Utah; Nellis AFB, Nev.; Tyndall AFB, Fla.; and Vandenberg AFB, Calif., have been collaboratively planning to avoid signal conflicts with the commercial users. Edwards officials also secured guarantees that some government proceeds from the auction would go toward minimizing the impact on flight-test operations.
An April 16 explosion destroyed a building at Northrop Grumman’s Innovation Systems plant in Promontory, Utah, where the company makes solid rocket motors for the U.S. government and commercial rocket companies.