Lockheed Martin announced today a major milestone on the U.S. Air Force's Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) with the successful delivery of the fully-integrated payload for the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO) spacecraft in the program constellation.

The SBIRS program is designed to provide early warning of missile launches, and simultaneously support other missions including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.

The payload was integrated and tested at Northrop Grumman, Azusa, Calif., and delivered to Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Sunnyvale, Calif. It includes both a scanning sensor and a staring sensor, and other key electronics and subsystems, including a pointing and control assembly (PCA).

The scanning sensor is designed for continuous observation and surveillance of traditional intercontinental ballistic missile threats. The staring sensor is designed to detect very low signature, short-burn-duration theater missiles. Together, the sensors contain nearly one million detector elements in their two focal planes.

The PCA is based on Lockheed Martin's patented reaction-less gimbal system, which allows the satellite to rapidly and repeatedly scan an area of interest for infrared activity while not interfering with the satellite's ability to simultaneously stare at another area.

"Successful delivery of the second SBIRS GEO payload demonstrates the entire team's commitment to successful program execution and mission success," said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin's SBIRS vice president and program manager. "We look forward to our continued progress on this critical national security program and delivering this cutting-edge satellite system that will provide unprecedented surveillance capabilities for the warfighter."

Over the next several months, Lockheed Martin will integrate the payload with its SBIRS spacecraft, followed by environmental and acceptance testing of the fully integrated space vehicle in preparation for launch in 2011.

The SBIRS team is led by the Space Based Infrared Systems Wing at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base in Calif. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the SBIRS prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., as the payload integrator. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.

Lockheed Martin's current SBIRS contract includes the two HEO payloads now on-orbit, two GEO satellites, as well as ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. The team is also working under an initial $350-million contract for advanced procurement of the SBIRS follow-on production program which will complete the SBIRS constellation. This includes the third and fourth highly elliptical orbit (HEO) payloads as well as a third and potential fourth geosynchronous orbit (GEO) spacecraft. Contract award is expected in late 2009.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

NOTE TO EDITORS: for low- and high-resolution JPEG image files of SBIRS, please visit our SBIRS web page at: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/sbirs/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin