L
ockheed Martin has mated the satellite bus to the payload for the first Space Based Infrared System geosynchronous-orbit satellite, which is slated for launch in 2009. This successful marriage means that prime contractor Lockheed and payload subcontractor Northrop Grumman can begin system level environmental and acceptance testing. “The integration of this technically complex hardware is a major milestone for the team” developing this “first-of-its-kind satellite,” states Lockheed SBIRS vice president Mark Crowley in a company release.
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.