Lockheed Martin began assembling the fourth Space Based Infrared System geosynchronous satellite after finishing its propulsion unit, the company announced on May 6. “This is a significant production milestone for the fourth GEO satellite,” said Jeffrey Smith, company vice president in charge of SBIRS. “We are now seeing the efficiency benefits from full production on the SBIRS program and look forward to delivering GEO-4 to the US Air Force in 2015,” he added. The second SBIRS satellite was declared operational in November 2013, and the company plans to deliver the third satellite by the end of the year, according to the release. Lockheed Martin is also procuring long-lead items for GEO-5 and GEO-6 satellites under an Air Force Space Command contract. SBIRS will eventually replace the legacy Defense Support Program missile warning constellation.
Details Murky as ARRW Falls Short in Second Test
March 24, 2023
The second all-up flight of the AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile apparently fell short of expectations, but the AIr Force isn't saying how, reporting only that the test met "several of the objectives" of the test. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control recently said he company is "ready to go" to…