Lockheed Martin SBIRS Team Completes On-Orbit Handover of First HEO Payload to U.S....

Lockheed Martin SBIRS Team Completes On-Orbit Handover of First HEO Payload to
U.S. Air Force

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)
announced today the successful on-orbit handover of the first Space Based
Infrared System (SBIRS) Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO-1) payload and ground
system to the U.S. Air Force in preparation for the start of certified
operations later this year.
SBIRS is designed to provide early warning of missile launches, and
simultaneously support other missions including missile defense, technical
intelligence and battlespace characterization.
Announced to be on-orbit in Nov. 2006, the HEO-1 payload has been
exceeding performance specifications during an extensive on-orbit test regimen
necessary before it can begin on-orbit operations for the user. The HEO-1
payload and associated ground components will now undergo a final independent
operational test and evaluation.
"This major milestone is direct testimony to our entire team's talent and
dedication to successfully deliver this vitally important program to the
warfighter," said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin's SBIRS vice president. "The
improved infrared event detection and reporting capabilities provided by SBIRS
are critical to our nation's information and intelligence architecture and we
look forward to achieving total mission success for our customer."
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.
The U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin-led team recently announced that the
HEO-2 payload is now on-orbit over the northern hemisphere and that its
performance meets or exceeds specifications following early on-orbit checkout.
In addition to detecting ballistic missile launches from northern 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 in August 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 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.
Media Contacts: Steve Tatum, 408-742-7531; e-mail,
Stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com
SOURCE Lockheed Martin

Steve Tatum of Lockheed Martin, +1-408-742-7531, Stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com