Major Integration
Milestone Achieved on Lockheed Martin-Built Advanced Military Communications
Satellite
(18 June 2007) Lockheed Martin
announced today that it has successfully integrated the spacecraft propulsion
core structure and the payload module for the first Advanced Extremely High
Frequency (AEHF) satellite.
The Advanced EHF system will provide
global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications for all warfighters
serving under the U.S. Department of Defense.
Based on Lockheed Martin's
flight-proven A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft series, the core structure
contains the integrated propulsion system as well as panels and other
components that serve as the structural foundation of the satellite. The
payload module consists of spacecraft electronics as well as the complete set
of payload processing, routing and control hardware and software that perform
the satellite's communications function.
The successful integration
allows the team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., the
Advanced EHF prime contractor, and Northrop Grumman Space Technology, Redondo
Beach, Calif., the payload supplier, to begin system level environmental and
acceptance testing in preparation for launch in mid-2008.
"The
integration of this technically complex hardware is the result of our team's
attention to detail and relentless focus on operational excellence and mission
success for our customer," Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin's AEHF vice president
and program manager. "We continue to make solid progress on this critical
program and look forward to the successful launch of this sophisticated
satellite next year."
Advanced EHF satellites will provide greater total
capacity and offer channel data rates higher than that of the current Milstar
communications satellites. The higher data rates permit transmission of
tactical military communications such as real-time video, battlefield maps and
targeting data.
Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide
three Advanced EHF satellites and the command control system to its customer,
the Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing, located at the Space and
Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
The company
is leveraging its proven record of building advanced military communications
systems for the next-generation Transformational Satellite Communications
System (TSAT), which will ultimately replace the Milstar and Advanced EHF
programs. The Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman TSAT Space Segment team is
currently working under a Risk Reduction and System Definition phase, with the
Air Force expected to award a multi-billion dollar development contract to a
single contractor in late 2007.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed
Martin employs about 140,000 people world-wide and is principally engaged in
the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of
advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported
2006 sales of US$ 39.6 billion.
(source: Lockheed Martin)