Northrop Grumman [NOC] said it successfully completed payload integration and the ambient functional test of the Air Force’s Space Based Infrared System’s (SBIRS) third highly elliptical orbit (HEO-3) payload.
“The HEO-3 payload is on track to provide the same high-quality global persistent infrared surveillance capabilities as its predecessors,” said Stephen Toner, vice president of Northrop Grumman’s Military and Civil Space business unit.
Lockheed Martin [LMT] is the SBIRS prime contractor; Northrop Grumman is the payload integrator.
“The completion of this test is an important milestone in the integration and buildup of the HEO-3 payload,” said Jeff Smith, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) mission area. “We are focused on delivering the HEO-3 payload and providing our warfighters with unprecedented infrared surveillance capabilities.”
Featuring a mix of geosynchronous (GEO) satellites, hosted payloads in highly elliptical earth (HEO) orbit, and associated ground hardware and software, the SBIRS program delivers improved missile warning capabilities for the nation while simultaneously providing significant contributions to the military’s missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness mission areas.
Two HEO payloads and the first geosynchronous (GEO-1) satellite have already been launched.
During payload integration, the Northrop Grumman-led team verified the initial electrical functions after conducting mechanical integration of the payload, harness checks, bond joint checks, command confirmation and primary/secondary power checks.
Once integration checks were completed, the initial ambient function test provided functional baseline performance and readiness to enter the next phases of testing, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and thermal vacuum characterization testing.
Following that characterization test, the HEO-3 payload will enter its prototype qualification acceptance testing for a scheduled delivery in 2013.
The SBIRS team is led by the Infrared Space Systems Directorate at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.
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