How GPS changed airdrops

by Airman 1st Class Autumn Velez
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

8/19/2015 - DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas  -- When thinking of the Global Position System or GPS, satellites orbiting the earth may come to mind; but at Dyess, the 317th Airlift Group is using GPS to enhance the accuracy of airdrops.

"The term JPADS basically encompasses precision airdrops," said Capt. James Morris, 40th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules weapons officer said.  "It's a more precise way of employing airdrop capabilities by using GPS."

There are two types of Joint Precision Airdrop Systems; guided JPADS and Improvised Container Delivery System. Both applications begin with the deployment of a sonde.

A sonde is a GPS receiver that is dropped by a loadmaster and makes its way down an air column using its own parachute over the planned drop zone during the aircraft's first pass. The release point is calculated by a computer through climatology and meteorological information. The sonde then collects coordinates for its position as it moves through the air column. These points are transmitted back to the aircraft system.

"As the sonde falls to the ground, it takes snap shots, so here I am, here I am, all the way down," Morris said. "With that data, we can determine what the actual, no kidding winds are."

While traditional methods have a predetermined drop point, the sonde allows aircrews to take the information collected and calculate a better release point. This results in equipment landing closer to its targeted location.

The difference between a guided JPADS and I-CDS airdrop comes in once the sonde is dropped.

A guided JPADS, also referred to as a guided-bundle, is a bundle that has an Autonomous Guidance Unit attached to the top of it. The AGU contains a battery power pack, a GPS receiver, and guidance, navigation and control software package. Together, the AGU works to relay the bundle's position to the servomechanism, a device that communicates to the parachute to make the appropriate adjustments to reach the drop zone.

"Think of a paratrooper under a parachute," Morris said. "The box makes calculations to steer the bundle to a target on the ground just as human would."

Sondes are used in addition to the AGU to provide an accurate release pass, which ensures the airdrop is as accurate as possible.

On the other hand, there is I-CDS. I-CDS is a type of bundle that derives from the container delivery system bundle. Traditionally, I-CDS bundles drop at a predetermined point with the intention to meet the point of impact on the drop zone.  Even though this method is more accurate than traditional CDS airdrop, especially from higher altitudes, they aren't necessarily as accurate as JPADS.

With the addition of the sonde, aircrews are able to get a better idea of the effects of the air column.

"We have been using container delivery systems for years," Morris said.  "When JPADS rolled around, we thought, 'Hey we are going to take these methods and improve traditional CDS.'"

With the help of GPS, the 317th can accurately accomplish the mission.

"Being able to use JPADS greatly enhances my job by allowing me to accurately and effectively deliver much needed equipment and supplies to our ground forces throughout our area of operation," said Senior Airman Jaime Richards-Granger, 39th Airlift Squadron loadmaster.

Team Black Jack takes command of newest GPS satellite

by 2nd Lt. Darren Domingo
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

7/27/2015 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 50th Space Wing's 2nd and 19th Space Operations Squadrons accepted command and control of the tenth Global Positioning System Block IIF satellite here July 24.

The Space and Missile Systems Center's GPS Directorate, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, remained in control of the satellite during an on-orbit checkout period before the hand-off to 2 and 19 SOPS.

"We're extremely honored to accept command and control of the tenth GPS IIF satellite," said Lt. Col. Todd Benson, 2 SOPS commander. "The phenomenal team from the Space and Missiles Systems Center, 45th Space Wing and 19 SOPS were pivotal to this successful launch."

Lt. Col. Sam Baxter, 19 SOPS commander, explained the importance of his team's role in transfer operations.

"Satellite Control Authority transfers are proud moments for Team Black Jack," said Baxter. "Nineteen SOPS has lead responsibilities for launch and checkout operations of new satellites. Our civilians and Airmen leverage their years of experience and expertise to configure the satellite for its final operating configuration."

Upon completion of the transfer, the majority of 19 SOPS' operations are concluded, while 2 SOPS continues satellite operations.

Beyond its essential capabilities for the military, GPS is a worldwide utility that provides highly accurate positioning, navigation and timing services for people all around the world.

Additionally, the U.S. and global economy rely on space and cyberspace to enable such vital activities as banking, weather forecasting, transportation, global commerce and farming/agriculture.

"Today's GPS constellation is the largest and most robust it has ever been," said Capt. Aaron Blain, GPS analyst flight commander. "With a constellation composed of 40 satellites and four different models, it is both a challenge and a privilege to operate and maintain."

The members of 2 and 19 SOPS operate the largest Department of Defense satellite constellation via the Master Control Station and a worldwide network of monitoring stations and ground antennas.

"2 SOPS' continuing objective is to ensure GPS remains the gold standard for global space-based navigation and timing by providing highly reliable and accurate GPS signals to users around the world," said Benson. "We look forward to continuing to provide our mission partners and global users with the most accurate position, navigation and timing signal available in the history of GPS."

As GPS celebrates its 20th year, Robins' 567th EMXS maintains units used by Air Force, Navy

by Jenny Gordon
78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

7/20/2015 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- For the last 20 years, the world has experienced the unique capabilities of a satellite precision navigation and timing system that has enhanced the quality of our everyday lives. The technology's fast-tracking, real-time capabilities, used by civilians as well as the military as part of national and global security efforts.

This month we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the GPS, or global positioning system -- July 17, 1995, when Air Force Space Command declared full operational capability of the system.

During this time, a shop in the 567th Electronics Maintenance Squadron here has been responsible for repairing and testing receivers used on various weapon systems supported by the Air Force and Navy.

Bathed under bright lights and a maze of wires and work stations, there's a shop in the 567th EMXS responsible for repairing and testing several types of receivers used to communicate with GPS satellites.

John Fullington, a 402nd Electronics Maintenance Group electronics technician, has been at Robins since 1989. He said he remembers the shop getting its first assets in 1990, starting with prototypes.

"We've been going pretty strong ever since," he said.

He remembers the shop busily repairing receivers after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and the workload is still active today. In 2014, nearly 500 units came through the shop.

Technicians use one of several test stations to test individual circuit cards located inside a receiver. Among several receivers tested by one of the shop's seven technicians is the 12-channel 3A SAASM receiver, which has been modified over the years to use less circuit card space, making it lighter and more efficient.

There's also JPADS, or the Joint Precision Airdrop System, which is used to direct equipment to the ground once it's deployed from an aircraft.

According to AFSPC, today's Airmen conduct resupply missions with battlefield precision airdrops to combat forces with GPS-guided parachute-delivered equipment pallets; and during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, significant contributions were made, including the delivery of 5,500 GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions with pinpoint precision.

Glenn Collins, an electronics mechanic at Robins for 33 years, has worked in the shop since its inception. He operates a 'hot mock-up' station where satellite signals are searched in real-time to make sure receivers are working properly.

"We can now see which satellites are available," he said. "I've enjoyed many years getting things out back to the warfighter. I'm proud to have been a part of this."   

The station's configuration was fabricated in the shop years ago and is still used today. Within about 15 minutes, Collins can get a quick fix on which satellites are in view at the moment, giving him a good read on whether information that's been downloaded on a receiver works or not.

Whether GPS guides stormtrackers to accurately forecast the next big storm or successfully leads troops out of harm's way, there's little doubt its benefits have impacted the world and will continue for many years.