Lockheed Delivers Key Sat Components: The Lockheed Martin-led team has completed a critical payload subsystem and software for the first geosynchronous orbit satellite of the Space Based Infrared System, according to Lockheed officials. The SBIRS GEO 1 satellite is scheduled to launch in Fiscal 2008. Lockheed expects to have the completed payload delivered to its Sunnyvale, Calif., facility in 2007.
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.

