Scott Nicholas
A ground system for U.S. Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Systems Center and 460th Space Wing will enter the operational utility evaluation phase upon the completion of integrated test and evaluation work.
The Air Force said Friday the Space-Based Infrared Systems Block 10 ground system will consolidate operational command and control of defense support program satellites, SBIRS Geosynchronous Earth Orbiting satellites and SBIRS Highly Elliptical Orbit sensors under Buckley Air Force Base which will serve as the primary mission control station.
The service branch noted the system works to support performance of four SBIRS mission areas such as missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence.
“Our operators successfully completed their longest run to date on the new SBIRS Block 10 Ground weapon system,” said Col. John Wagner, 460th Space Wing commander.
“The IT&E Phase tested total system readiness, to include trained operational crews … Entry into Operational Utility Evaluation is a significant milestone that demonstrates we’re on track for operational acceptance this November,” added Brig. Gen. Mike Guetlein, Air Force remote sensing systems director.
Lockheed Martin serves as the prime contractor of the SBIRS and Northrop Grumman acts as the payload integrator.
