SBIRS High, the nation's next-generation missile warning system and a critical element of missile defense, will feature a communications subsystem successfully developed and tested at Lockheed Martin's facilities in Newtown, Pa., and delivered to its Space Systems Company in Sunnyvale, Calif.

The communications subsystem will serve a key role in the SBIRS mission by delivering anti-jam survivable communications from the infrared payload to the warfighter and provide worldwide coverage of missile launch detection and defense data.

The subsystem also provides secure command and control of the satellite by continuous interaction with ground stations.

"We share our customer's sense of urgency to deploy SBIRS High and delivery of this communications panel is an important step in making that a reality," said Myles Crandall, Lockheed Martin's SBIRS High vice president.

"Our team continues to make tangible progress on flight hardware and software development and risk reduction activities as we work expeditiously to deliver the unprecedented capabilities that this critical national program will provide to our military."

Over the next several months, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, the SBIRS High prime contractor, and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, the payload provider, will integrate the subsystem into flight configuration and continue component installation and preparation activities leading to the start of final assembly, integration and test later this year.

When fully operational, SBIRS High will comprise two payloads in highly elliptical orbit (HEO), four satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), as well as fixed and mobile ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data.

The team has completed the HEO payloads and is on track to begin final integration and test of the first GEO satellite later this year in preparation for launch in fiscal year 2008. The SBIRS program is led by the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.

In addition to providing early warning of missile launches, SBIRS will support other missions simultaneously, including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace characterization.

SBIRS will support missile defense by providing the earliest possible warning of ballistic and theatre missile attacks and accurate information to effectively cue other ballistic missile defense system elements to support intercept and negation of the threat.

Improved capabilities for technical intelligence will enable combat commanders the flexibility to gain valuable insight into an adversary's battlespace and provide both tactical and strategic missile warning around the globe.

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