Goodrich Imaging
Sensor - Currently Flying on the U2 - to be Modified for Use in
Space
(17 June 2007) The U.S. Naval Research
Laboratory has awarded Goodrich Corporation a contract to adapt an imaging
sensor, currently flying on the U2 aircraft, for use as a space
payload.
According to Ken Luczaj, President of Goodrich's ISR
Systems division, "This award reinforces our long-term strategy to supply
innovative, electro- optical systems that provide rapid-reaction Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, or 'ISR', capabilities to the
warfighter."
"By adapting existing sensor designs and technologies, we
can provide the U.S. armed forces with an ISR capability that is proven to be
compatible with existing command and control infrastructures. Furthermore, this
award supports the emerging need for payloads compatible with the mission of
Operationally Responsive Space, or 'ORS.' ORS payloads can be used to rapidly
augment and/or replenish space capabilities in times of national need. They can
also provide a distributed capability, lessening the vulnerability of the
U.S.'s constellation of imaging satellites. Demonstrations of anti-satellite
capabilities by foreign governments only serve to underscore the importance of
this type of system capability," Luczaj continued.
The Goodrich imaging
sensor, originally developed for use on the high- altitude U2 surveillance
aeroplane, is the United States' most capable, long- range airborne
electro-optical sensor. The research and design work to develop it for space is
taking place at Goodrich's Electro-Optical Systems site in Danbury, Conn. The
site has a long history developing electro-optical payloads for
space.
Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier
of systems and services to aerospace, defence and homeland security markets.
With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the
industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant world-wide
manufacturing and service facilities.
(source: Goodrich)