Lockheed Martin has completed a key milestone in the development of the Space Based Infrared System satellite program, which just got a restructuring green light from Pentagon acquisition chief Ken Krieg. A company release states that Lockheed “successfully completed” an end-to-end test that shows the space and ground components can “work together.” Passing this test means Lockheed can proceed with launch of the first SBIRS geosynchronous orbit spacecraft. Lockheed expects delivery of the GEO payload from partner Northrop Grumman sometime this month. The companies already have one of the two contracted SBIRS highly elliptical orbit payloads on orbit.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.