Air Force officials have begun test transmissions of the new L-5 safety-of-life navigation signal from the newest Global Positioning System satellite as part of the satellite’s on-orbit checkout phase. The Air Force launched this satellite into space on May 27. It is the first in the Boeing-built Block IIF series. Among its features is the L-5 signal for civil pilots. The initial test transmissions of L-5 began June 5 and will take place intermittently during the satellite’s three-month phase of on-orbit testing. All Block IIF spacecraft will transmit L-5, as will future GPS Block III satellites. (Los Angeles release)
PHOTOS: Air Force Shows Off Second B-21 in New Images
Sept. 12, 2025
On Sept. 12, the Air Force released half a dozen new photos of the second B-21 bomber to fly, giving observers and aviation enthusiasts another glimpse of the secretive Raider.