The Air Force formally accepted the first Global Positioning System Block IIF satellite from contractor Boeing on April 22. This spacecraft is set for launch in late May aboard a Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. The Block IIF series incorporates a new navigation signal for civil users as well as signal accuracy improvements for military and civil users. Boeing is under contract to build 12 Block IIF satellites, after which the Air Force will transition to Lockheed Martin-built Block III spacecraft. (May 7 Los Angeles photo caption)
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.