Col. Dan Cvelbar (left) explains a computer demonstration to SBIRS Program Director Col. Mark Borkowski (right) during the SBIRS High system critical design review at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Sunnyvale, Calif. Col. Cvelbar is the SBIRS High System program manager. Photo: Lockheed Martin

The Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High team led by prime contractor Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company successfully completed the system critical design review (CDR) with its customer, the U.S. Air Force, on August 30-31. The review demonstrated that SBIRS High would meet the customer's requirements and establish the foundation for the next generation space-based surveillance systems.

More than 300 people from the Air Force, Department of Defense and industry participated in the two-day session at Lockheed Martin's Sunnyvale facility.

The CDR validated that the SBIRS High architecture supports Air Force space surveillance requirements and operating concepts. SBIRS High ground systems are planned to be compatible with legacy Defense Support Program (DSP) and SBIRS satellites. The successful system CDR was preceded by extensive reviews of the payload sensors, the geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) spacecraft, and ground segment designs earlier this summer.

"The critical design review shows that the Air Force believes our SBIRS system design will enable the military to detect and report infrared events faster and more accurately than ever before," said Jeff Harris, president Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company -- Missiles & Space Operations.

The SBIRS program will provide the nation with new worldwide missile detection and tracking capabilities. It is an integrated "system of systems" with multiple space components and an evolving ground element. Increment 1, currently being evaluated for initial operational capability later this year, will consolidate functions of three legacy DSP ground stations into one and provide an open architecture to accommodate SBIRS High and Low components as they are fielded. Increment 2, also known as SBIRS High, will add four satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) and two sensors in highly elliptical orbit (HEO). Increment 3, or SBIRS Low, will add 20-to-30 satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) to provide mid-course missile tracking.

An artist's concept of a SBIRS High spacecraft. Photo: Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for SBIRS Increments 1 and 2, and overall "system of systems" integrator for the three increments. Key members of the Lockheed Martin team are Northrop Grumman, Aerojet, Honeywell and SAIC.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered in Denver, Colo., is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include a full-range of space launch systems, including heavy-lift capability, ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a highly diversified global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses span space and telecommunications, electronics, information and services, aeronautics, energy and systems integration. Lockheed Martin had 2000 sales surpassing $25 billion.