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SUNNYVALE, Calif., 14 Nov. 2008. The U.S Air Force accepted into operations the first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO-1) payload and ground system, built by a team at Lockheed Martin.
SBIRS is designed to provide early warning of missile launches, and simultaneously support other missions, such as missile defense, technical intelligence, and battlespace awareness.
Acceptance of the HEO-1 system follows an operational utility evaluation and trial period during which live HEO data was injected into user operational networks providing critical warning and intelligence data. The evaluation demonstrated new capabilities being delivered to the warfighter through the HEO system. This milestone paves the way for United States Strategic Command's formal certification of the HEO-1 system next month.
"The introduction of SBIRS HEO system into operations has provided significantly enhanced early warning and intelligence capabilities for the warfighter," says Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin
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.
HEO payloads provide 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.
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