Lockheed Martin won a $1.5 billion contract to build the third Space Based Infrared Systems Geosynchronous Earth Orbit satellite, the U.S. Air Force announced May 29.
    The cost-plus, fixed fee basis contract also includes the modification of related ground systems to handle the operations of three payloads simultaneously. Of the total contract amount, $1.1 billion has already been obligated to Lockheed Martin.
    The SBIRS follow-on program, which will complete the SBIRS constellation, will add the third and fourth highly elliptical orbit payloads as well an option for a fourth geosynchronous orbit spacecraft.
     Lockheed Martin said it expects the award for additional spacecraft and payloads in late 2009.

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