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U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin Team Achieves Major Operational Milestone on First SBIRS HEO System

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

August 28, 2008

thomas

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)
announced today that the U.S. Air Force has certified readiness for
dedicated operational utility evaluation and trial period operations of the
first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO-1)
payload and associated ground system in preparation for use by the
warfighter.

SBIRS is designed to provide early warning of missile launches, and
simultaneously support other missions including missile defense, technical
intelligence and battlespace awareness. Announced to be on-orbit in Nov.
2006, the HEO-1 payload has been exceeding expectations during an extensive
on-orbit test regimen necessary before beginning on-orbit operations for
the user.

“The HEO system’s outstanding performance and reliability is a true
testament to the dedication, skill and operational excellence of our entire
SBIRS team,” said Col Roger Teague, the U.S. Air Force’s SBIRS Wing
Commander. “We look forward to successfully executing the next step’s
necessary to making this critical national asset operational for the
warfighter this year.”

As part of the operational utility evaluation, the system will enter
trial period operations in which for the first time, live HEO data will be
injected into the warfighters operational networks providing critical
warning and intelligence data. This will culminate with United States
Strategic Command’s final certification of the HEO-1 payload and ground
processing elements later this year when the HEO sensor and its data will
be declared operationally proven and accepted.

“Our number one priority is delivering mission success for our
customer,” said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin’s SBIRS vice president. “We
take great pride that the HEO system is providing superior detection and
reporting capabilities for the warfighters, and we look forward to further
enhancing the SBIRS mission with the launch of the first geosynchronous
spacecraft next year.”

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, 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.

“With its high-quality sensor performance, SBIRS will provide
substantial mission utility to the warfighter,” said Steve Toner, vice
president of the SBIRS program for Northrop Grumman. “We are confident that
HEO-1 will operate well throughout the trial period.”

The U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin-led team recently announced that the
HEO-2 payload is now on-orbit and that its performance meets or exceeds
specifications following early on-orbit checkout. In addition to detecting
ballistic missile launches from polar regions, HEO payloads also have
improved sensitivity needed to detect dimmer theater missiles and can be
tasked to scan other areas of military interest. The HEO-2 payload is
expected to begin operations by early 2009.

The HEO sensor provides an unprecedented infrared view of the
battlefield that represents the first steps in an evolving battlespace
awareness capability while also providing real-time data on missiles,
aircraft and other events.

The team is also progressing through key integration and test
activities on the first geosynchronous orbit (GEO) spacecraft. Preparations
are now underway to integrate the GEO-1 satellite’s solar arrays,
deployable light shade, and thermal blankets in preparation for the start
of acoustic and pyroshock testing when the integrated spacecraft will be
subjected to the maximum sound and vibration levels expected during launch
into orbit. Thermal vacuum testing of the completed GEO-1 space vehicle,
which will validate its performance at temperature extremes greater than
those expected during on-orbit operations, is on track for mid-2009 in
preparation for launch in Dec. 2009.

As the SBIRS prime contractor, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company
provides program management, the GEO spacecraft bus, HEO and GEO payload
pointing, and system engineering and integration. Lockheed Martin
Information Systems & Global Services builds and maintains the SBIRS ground
segment which has been operational since 2001. Northrop Grumman is the
major subcontractor and provides the HEO and GEO payloads and participates
in ground system development and systems engineering.

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 program is in the early stages of adding
additional GEO spacecraft and HEO payloads to the planned constellation.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin is a global security
company that employs about 140,000 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 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

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