PARIS, June 20 (UPI) -- Early completion of readiness reviews means production can begin this summer on the next-generation MUOS U.S. military tactical communications satellite.
Lockheed announced at the Paris Air Show Wednesday that it had been given the green light to begin production on two of the five planned Mobile User Objective System satellites plus the ground system.
"Successfully completing the series of production readiness reviews ahead of the planned schedule adds to our confidence for on-schedule delivery of this essential communications capability to the mobile warfighter," Program Manager Manny DiMiceli said in a statement issued by Lockheed.
Lockheed and its team, which includes aerospace majors Boeing and General Dynamics, are under contract for the initial pair of satellites. The pact has options for the other three spacecraft as well, which gives the project a total potential value of more than $3 billion.
The first satellite in the MUOS project is slated to be in orbit in 2010 and will provide mobile U.S. forces with voice, data and video capability.
Lockheed said the project completed its Critical Design Review ahead of schedule, leading up to the final production readiness review, which wrapped up at the end of May.
