An improved Global Positioning System IIF satellite from Boeing has been launched into orbit by the U.S. Air Force, the service reported.

The launch was conducted late last week from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida as part of an Air Force program to modernize its GPS satellite system.

"Today we launched the third GPS IIF satellite in 2014, and we have one more satellite to launch this year," said Col. Bill Cooley, the director of Space and Missile Systems Center's Global Positioning Systems Directorate. "This is the most aggressive launch campaign schedule since we initially populated the GPS constellation in 1993.

"The successful outcome of today's (Aug. 1) launch was due to the hard work of the men and women of SMC, the 45th, 50th, and 310th Space Wings, Boeing, (United Launch Alliance), The Aerospace Corporation, GPS IIF and Atlas V launch teams, we have a world-class team providing a worldwide service."

The Air Force said the Boeing GPS IIF satellite has greater navigational accuracy and adds a new civil signal for commercial aviation. It also has a design life of 12 years.

The satellite will be operated by the U.S. Air Force Space Command.