Twelfth Satellite Completes GPS IIF Array
The first satellite in this series was launched in May 2010.
A new generation of satellites used by the U.S. Air Force’s Global Positioning System, which provides critically important information for meteorologists, emergency responders, wildland firefighting aircraft, and many other civilian and military uses, is now completed. Boeing and USAF on Feb. 5 successfully launched into orbit the 12th and final satellite in the GPS IIF series.
Following about a month of testing, the satellite will be declared operational; it is the 50th GPS satellite Boeing has provided to the Air Force.
The first GPS IIF satellite was launched May 27, 2010, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Satellites in this series have a 12-year design life, according to USAF.
"This GPS IIF milestone builds on our 40-plus years of GPS experience and a strong government-Boeing partnership," said Dan Hart, vice president of Boeing Government Satellite Systems. "We continue investing in GPS innovation while driving down costs, keeping GPS prepared to meet current and future demands."