The Air Force and Boeing have completed on-orbit check out of the seventh Global Positioning System IIF satellite, according to an Oct. 13 company release. The satellite, which launched on Aug. 1, was declared healthy in its final orbital location Sept. 17 and is providing accurate positioning, navigation, and timing data, states the release. “Handover to the 50th Space Wing is a huge milestone in a GPS satellite’s journey, confirming that it’s been put through its paces and all looks good,” said Dan Hart, vice president of Government Space Systems for Boeing Network & Space Systems. “A transfer as seamless as this one is even more satisfying for our Boeing GPS IIF team.” Boeing has delivered 45 of the 67 GPS satellites to the Air Force, states the release.
A combined Navy and Air Force program is seeking to build a smaller version of a ubiquitous air-to-air missile that could give advanced aircraft, such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, greater magazine depth in a high-end fight.