PARIS - PARIS AIR SHOW — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that it has delivered the final block of a new flight software architecture that will provide highly reliable spacecraft command and control operations for the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite constellation.
The SBIRS program is designed to provide early warning of missile launches, and simultaneously support other missions including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.
Leveraging software and systems expertise from across the Corporation, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif. designed, developed and validated an enhanced SBIRS flight software architecture that will enable robust command and data handling, fault management and safe-hold capabilities on the GEO satellite system.
The SBIRS GEO fault management system responds when an anomaly is detected during on-orbit operations, putting the satellite into a safe state while operators on the ground analyze the situation and take corrective action.
The flight software architecture and implementation consists of two blocks that have been delivered incrementally to support the pre-launch integration and test schedule of the GEO satellite. The previous major increment was delivered in December 2008 to support Baseline Integrated Systems Test (BIST), which characterized the performance of the integrated GEO-1 satellite and established a performance baseline prior to entering thermal vacuum testing.
Delivery of the final flight software block will support thermal vacuum testing to validate spacecraft performance at temperature extremes greater than those expected during on-orbit operations. The spacecraft is planned for delivery to the Air Force in fiscal year 2010 in preparation for launch aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle.
“Working in partnership with our customer and leveraging key talent from across Lockheed Martin, the team has delivered a flight software solution that will ensure efficient and reliable GEO system operations,” said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin’s SBIRS vice president and program manager. “With this delivery, we are on track to proceed with thermal vacuum testing, a critical step in preparing this vitally important spacecraft for flight.”
The SBIRS team is led by the Space Based Infrared Systems Wing at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the SBIRS prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., as the payload integrator. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.
Lockheed Martin’s SBIRS contract includes the two highly elliptical orbit (HEO) payloads now on-orbit, two geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellites, as well as ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. The team was recently awarded a 1.5-billion contract for the third HEO payload, the third GEO-3 satellite and associated ground modifications. A contract to include a fourth HEO payload and potential fourth GEO satellite is expected to be awarded later this year.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of US$42.7 billion.
NOTE TO EDITORS: for low- and high-resolution JPEG image files of SBIRS, please visit our SBIRS web page at: www.lockheedmartin.com/sbirs/
Media Contact: Steve Tatum, +1-408-742-7531; e-mail, Stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com
Source: Lockheed Martin
Steve Tatum of Lockheed Martin, +1-408-742-7531, Stephen.o.tatum at lmco.com
Related Press Releases
Lockheed Martin Airborne Intelligence Test-Bed Completes Maiden Flight; Receives FAA CertificationAugust 24th, 2009 DENVER -
- Flying Laboratory Will Accelerate Delivery of C4ISR Capabilities
Warfighters will receive critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities sooner, now that the airborne test-bed developed by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has received its Experimental Airworthiness Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. This Airborne Multi-Intelligence Laboratory (AML) will be used to tailor advanced sensor combinations to resolve specific military, strategic intelligence and homeland security mission needs.
Charles 'Willy' Moore Appointed Chief Executive-United Arab Emirates For Lockheed Martin Global, Inc.August 2nd, 2009 BETHESDA, Maryland -
Charles "Willy" Moore has been named Chief Executive-United Arab Emirates for Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Global, Inc., with responsibility for coordinating the corporation's relationship and ongoing program execution with the Emirates. "Lockheed Martin has a long history of partnership with the United Arab Emirates, spanning the past 20 years," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Bob Stevens.
Lockheed Martin Solar X-Ray Imager to be Launched on NOAA GOES-O SpacecraftJune 17th, 2009 PARIS - PARIS AIR SHOW -- The Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) instrument, designed and built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) at its Space Systems Advanced Technology Center (ATC) is ready for flight. Built for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Md., SXI is awaiting launch - scheduled for June 26 - on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GOES-O spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Lockheed Martin-Built GPS Satellites Exceed 100 Years of Combined On-Orbit ServiceJune 16th, 2009 PARIS - PARIS AIR SHOW -- The US Air Force's fleet of Global Positioning System (GPS) Block IIR and IIR-M satellites, designed and built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), has accumulated 100 years of successful on-orbit operations. The 12 Block IIR and seven IIR-M satellites in service within the overall 30-spacecraft constellation have provided a reliability record of better than 99.9 percent.
Lockheed Martin Begins Critical Environmental Test of First Advanced EHF Military Communications SatelliteJune 15th, 2009 PARIS - Steady Progress Continues on Second and Third Advanced EHF Spacecraft
PARIS AIR SHOW -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (Advanced EHF) military communications satellite is now undergoing final thermal vacuum testing at the company's Sunnyvale, Calif. facilities. Meanwhile, the Lockheed Martin-led team has recently completed successful thermal vacuum testing of the second Advanced EHF satellite and has mated the spacecraft core structure and the payload module for the third spacecraft.
Lockheed Martin Orion Team Prepares for Integration and First Flight Test of Launch Abort SystemJune 15th, 2009 PARIS - PARIS AIR SHOW -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that two launch abort system (LAS) motors for NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle are now in place at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico for integration and preparation for the first flight test, known as Pad Abort 1. Lockheed Martin and NASA have planned a series of ground and flight tests for the launch abort system over the next few years leading up to Orion's first crewed flight to the International Space Station scheduled for 2015.
Lockheed Martin Completes Mars Science Laboratory Heatshield For NASA's Jet Propulsion LaboratoryJune 15th, 2009 PARIS - PARIS AIR SHOW -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has completed production and testing of the heatshield for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). The heatshield is half of the large and sophisticated two-part aeroshell that will encapsulate and protect the Curiosity rover during its deep space cruise to Mars, and from the intense heat and friction that will be generated as the system descends through the Martian atmosphere.
Lockheed Martin Develops Airborne Laboratory for C4ISR ExperimentationJune 14th, 2009 PARIS - Testbed Will Accelerate Delivery of Critical Capabilities to the Warfighter
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced the development of an Airborne Multi-INT Laboratory (AML), which will be used for operational testing and experimentation of C4ISR capabilities. The AML provides a platform for both advanced research and realistic testing and demonstration of emerging intelligence, communications, networking and sensors capabilities that can improve strategic and tactical responsiveness for military, strategic and homeland security forces.
Lockheed Martin Marks 25th Anniversary of World's First Hit-to-Kill Missile InterceptJune 14th, 2009 PARIS - Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the world's first hit-to-kill intercept of a ballistic missile target outside the earth's atmosphere. The U.S. Army's Homing Overlay Experiment vehicle, developed by a Lockheed Martin-led team, destroyed a test missile above the Pacific Ocean June 10, 1984.
Lockheed Martin GPS III Team Shifts Into Critical Design Review PhaseJune 13th, 2009 PARIS - Paris Air Show -- The Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) team developing the U.S. Air Force's Global Positioning System (GPS) III program has entered the Critical Design Review (CDR) stage on-schedule, an extensive phase that precedes production of the next-generation satellite system.
Related News
Lockheed Martin sets up new missile defense systems operating unitAugust 25th, 2009 Lockheed Martins starts missile defense unitHUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., a division of defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp., said Tuesday that it has established a new missile defense systems operating unit based in Huntsville, Ala.
Lockheed Martin gets $421.1 million Air Force pact for services for Air and Space OperationsSeptember 2nd, 2009 Lockheed Martin gets $421.1M Air Force pactWASHINGTON — A unit of Lockheed Martin Corp. received a $421.1 million contract boost from the Air Force for services for the Air and Space Operations Center, the Pentagon said late Wednesday.
Lockheed Martin raises dividend 10.5 percent, to 63 cents per shareSeptember 24th, 2009 Lockheed Martin lifts dividend to 63 centsBETHESDA, Md. — Military contractor Lockheed Martin Corp.
Lockheed Martin gets $111.5 million deal from Army for 1,152 guided rocket systemsSeptember 14th, 2009 Lockheed Martin gets $111.5M defense dealWASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin Corp. recently received a $111.5 million contract from the Army for 1,152 guided multiple launch rocket systems, the Pentagon said late Monday.
Lockheed Martin gets $13.5 million Navy deal for services on DDG-51 destroyersSeptember 4th, 2009 Lockheed Martin gets $13.5M Navy dealWASHINGTON — A division of Lockheed Martin Corp. received a $13.5 million contract boost from the Navy for management and engineering services for the DDG-51 destroyer, the Pentagon said late Friday.
Lockheed Martin to cut jobs at space systems unit, primarily in Denver and Sunnyvale, Calif.August 17th, 2009 Lockheed Martin to cut 800 jobs in space systemsDENVER — Lockheed Martin says it will eliminate 800 jobs across its space systems division, largely in two facilities in Colorado and California. The reductions represent about 4.5 percent of the overall workforce.
NASA's Orion spacecraft passes significant design milestoneSeptember 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - NASA's Orion spacecraft has passed a significant design milestone by completing the Orion Project's preliminary design review (PDR), and thus taking a major step toward building the next crew exploration vehicle. Orion is being designed to carry astronauts to the International Space Station and other destinations.
Lockheed gets Air Force satellite contract worth $262 millionJuly 11th, 2009 Lockheed gets $262M Air Force ContractWASHINGTON — The Air Force said Friday that it has awarded a $262 million satellite contract to a division of Lockheed Martin Corp. The contract is for long lead parts and material procurement for the Air Force's fourth Space Based Infrared Systems Geosynchronous Earth Orbit Satellite and a payload.
Lockheed Martin gets $25.1 million defense pact for hardware to upgrade Virginia class subsAugust 19th, 2009 Lockheed Martin gets $25.1M defense pactWASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin Corp., the nation's largest defense contractor, received a $25.1 million contract boost from the Navy for hardware to upgrade the Virginia Class attack submarine, the Pentagon said late Wednesday. The hardware will be used for a sonar system upgrade, which has already been integrated into the first 10 ships of the class as part of the modernization program.
Lockheed Martin boosted lobbying spending as big programs face threatsMay 12th, 2009 Lockheed ramped up lobbying in 1QWASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin Corp. significantly increased the amount of money it spent lobbying Congress and the Pentagon during the first quarter as it fought to stave off proposed cuts to some of its major weapons programs.
