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.
The Pentagon did not include any funding for the the E-7A Wedgetail in its 2027 budget request, setting up another round in its fight with Congress over the future of the Boeing-built successor to the E-3 Sentry Airborne Early Warning and Control jet.