[SatNews] The U.S. Air Force's newest infrared surveillance and missile warning satellites will be based on Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) modernized A2100 spacecraft, an update that improves system affordability and resiliency while also adding the flexibility to use future payloads.

Artistic rendition of the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS)

Image is courtesy of Lockheed Martin.

The fifth and sixth Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites will receive this advanced spacecraft technology at no additional cost to the existing fixed-price contract. The SBIRS program is responsible for America's early missile warning and infrared surveillance missions, which are crucial to global security.

In response to the Department of Defense's need for more affordable and resilient systems, the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin worked to add the A2100 bus update to the 2014 SBIRS block-buy contract, which already saved the U.S.A.F. more than $1 billion. The modernized A2100 adds further affordability by using common components, streamlined manufacturing and has a flexible design that reduces the cost to incorporate future, modernized sensor suites.

Artistic rendition of Lockheed Martin's A2100 spacecraft.

Image courtesy of Lockheed Martin.

The modernized A2100 builds on a flight-proven bus that is the foundation for more than 40 satellites in orbit today. Through an internally-funded, multi-year modernization effort, Lockheed Martin has enhanced the spacecraft's power, propulsion and electronics, while also adopting the latest advanced manufacturing techniques to decrease production costs and timelines.

Executive Comment

"Through the leadership of the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, we have been working to address the Department of Defense's Better Buying Power and Bending the Cost Curve initiatives to deliver more value per dollar on this vital national security system," said David Sheridan, Lockheed Martin vice president and SBIRS program manager. "SBIRS has been providing outstanding global coverage for the Air Force, and migration to the modernized A2100 will help keep SBIRS ahead of America's adversaries while dramatically reducing costs and cycle times."