Air Force researchers are exploring how to get overhead navigation signals in areas where the GPS constellation is limited due to terrain or an adversary’s denial efforts. To that end, the Air Force Research Lab awarded aerospace contractor ITT Excelis of McLean, Va., a $2.15 million contract to begin researching a small satellite navigation payload to augment the current GPS program, announced the company on Jan. 23. Excelis will conduct an 18-month study under the this project to identify ways to increase GPS affordability and sustainment through reduction of payload weight, size, and power, states the company’s release.
The Air Force is placing Air Combat Command in charge of teaching combat tactics to fighter and remotely-piloted aircraft units, according to a May 12 announcement. Beginning this summer, the service will reassign the formal training units for the F-35, F-16, and MQ-9 from Air Education and Training Command to…