DENVER, May 16 (UPI) -- A key software package for the U.S. Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), which detects missile launches, has been completed, Lockheed Martin said Tuesday.
The Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) Interim Operations software will enable SBIRS satellites to process the data they pick up from their orbits and provide early warning of an enemy launch.
"This represents a significant milestone for the SBIRS system," said Lockheed Vice President John Mengucci. "HEO Payload data processing will afford greater access to time-sensitive infrared data and is an important step on our path to deliver capabilities for surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance missions."
Lockheed is under contract to provide the U.S. missile defense program with a pair of geosynchronous satellites equipped with HEO payloads that will be launched starting in fiscal year 2008.
Earlier this month, Lockheed delivered a subsystem to Northrop Grumman for the first GEO satellite. The subsystem applies to the control and testing of the spacecraft's Pointing and Controlling Assembly. The PCA allows the satellite to "stare" in lizard-like fashion at a specific area of Earth with one sensor while continuing to scan another area with other sensors.
The overall SBIRS program has been in operation since 2001 using both scanning and staring sensors to not only watch for outbound ICBMs, but provide technical intelligence and battlefield data for operations in Iraq that is relayed through the ground segment at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado.
