[Satellite Today 04-22-09] Northrop Grumman, the payload integrator for the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), delivered the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO) payload to prime contractor Lockheed Martin, for integration into the spacecraft and final system-level testing, Northrop Grumman announced April 21.
    The payload will be installed on the GEO-2 spacecraft, scheduled for launch in 2011. The GEO-2 payload now enters testing and integration phase.
    "Delivery of this sophisticated payload is a major milestone for the team and another critical step forward in our objective to deploy the SBIRS constellation for the warfighter," said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin’s SBIRS vice president and program manager, in a statement.
The U.S. Air Force SBIRS program is designed to provide early warning of missile launches and simultaneously support other missions including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.