SBIRS Low is planned as a constellation of satellites capable of performing missile defense, missile tracking, technical intelligence and battlespace characterization in low Earth orbit. SBIRS Low will be an integral part of the future national missile defense system, which will track missiles and relay data to destroy them before impact.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, based in Denver, Colo., will develop algorithms and key aspects of the ground segment.

Boeing's Missile Defense and Space Control Division, based in Anaheim, Calif., will develop sensors and associated algorithms.

The Mission Integrated Product Team (IPT) is a significant part of the SBIRS Low program, encompassing the space-based payload and ground segment. The addition of Lockheed Martin and Boeing to the Northrop Grumman-led IPT adds significant strength, experience and capabilities to the core of the program.

"When we set out to build this team," said John Chino, Northrop Grumman's vice president of SBIRS Programs, "we included companies that were the best qualified for the unique needs of this program. Large team members such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Boeing bring years of experience and proven technology to the SBIRS Low program.

"Newer companies bring focused, high-tech expertise that is imperative in meeting today's customer requirements. The coupling of these strong industry giants with the leadership of an agile innovative prime is key to this new way of doing business."

The unique IPT structure maximizes each member's strengths and abilities. This enables the team to quickly and effectively meet or exceed the complex demands of evolving mission scenarios and newly defined requirements.

"Our recent successes in the Systems Requirements Review and Ground Demonstration Program Review are clear indications that the old way of doing things will no longer be enough," said Mr. Chino. "Industry teams can't just be technologically advanced anymore. They must remain agile enough to evolve with changing requirements."

As the prime contractor, Spectrum Astro leads the team's design effort and is responsible for the spacecraft and overall system architecture. In addition to Northrop Grumman, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, the team also includes Litton TASC, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Analex Corporation, based in Mesa, Ariz.; and the Space Dynamics Laboratory of Utah State University.

For SBIRS Low, Northrop Grumman is responsible for the overall mission sensor design and related ground system data processing and ground segment integration. Northrop Grumman also supplies the infrared sensors for the Space-Based Infrared High component as part of the Lockheed Martin team.

For more than 30 years, Northrop Grumman Space Systems, a business unit of the company's ES3 in Baltimore, has supplied the payloads for scores of space-based missions, including the Gemini rendezvous radar, the cloud imager for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, and the multispectral/hyperspectral cameras for the OrbView 3 and 4 commercial remote sensing program.

Northrop Grumman's ES3 is a leading designer, systems integrator and manufacturer of defense electronics and systems, airspace management systems, marine systems, precision weapons, space systems, logistics systems, and automation and information systems.

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