Raytheon’s infrared sensing payload might be built-in on a Lockheed Martin LM400
WASHINGTON — Raytheon Intelligence & Area introduced Jan. 4 it chosen a Lockheed Martin bus to construct a missile-tracking satellite tv for pc for the U.S. Area Power.
The U.S. Area Programs Command chosen two satellite tv for pc designs — one by Raytheon and the opposite by Millennium Area Programs — for a deliberate constellation of sensors in medium Earth orbit (MEO) to detect and observe ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Each firms’ proposals final yr cleared Area Power design reviews.
The Pentagon is adding a layer of MEO satellites to the nation’s missile-defense structure to offer additional eyes on enemy hypersonic missiles. In comparison with present sensors in geostationary satellites, sensors in medium orbits would see nearer to Earth and observe a wider space than satellites in low Earth orbit.
Raytheon gained a contract of undisclosed worth to develop a prototype satellite tv for pc, floor methods and knowledge processing functions.
“That is a complicated answer to counter rising missile threats dealing with our nation,” stated Roger Cole, govt director of strategic methods at Raytheon Intelligence & Area.
Raytheon’s infrared sensing payload might be built-in on a Lockheed Martin LM400, a brand new medium-size satellite tv for pc bus the corporate launched in 2021 with safety features aimed at the military market.
“Lockheed Martin is worked up to offer our mid-sized, rapidly-producible LM400 bus to Raytheon,” stated Mike Corriea, vice chairman of Lockheed Martin’s overhead persistent infrared mission space.
A “system vital design evaluation” is scheduled for 2023, and the purpose is to ship the satellite tv for pc for a 2026 launch. Work for this program might be carried out at Raytheon’s amenities in El Segundo, California, and Lockheed Martin’s in Aurora, Colorado.
