USAF takes delivery of third SBIRS satellite
The US Air Force has taken delivery of the third of four Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) satellite payloads as part of its Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) programme.
According to Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, lead contractor and payload integrator respectively, the delivery now means the programme can turn its full attention to completion of HEO-4.
Prior to its delivery, the HEO-3 payload successfully completed environmental and functional testing in order to demonstrate its compatibility with HEOs 1 and 2.
The SBIRS project is designed to deliver persistent infrared (IR) missile warning surveillance capabilities to the warfighter through a mix
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