[Satellite TODAY Insider 09-28-11] Satellite manufacturer and technology developer Astrium was selected by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to help define the first step of the systems architecture for its territorial ballistic missile defense program, the company announced Sept. 27.

   The contract follows a previously announced deal in November 2010, which saw Astrium provide NATO with an additional capability to protect Europe. The contract involves defining the requirements to expand existing theatre missile defenses into a territory ballistic missile defense within a year.

   NATO signed the initial contract under its territorial missile defense program Sept. 20 with a consortium led by U.S. based company SAIC. The contract is worth 2.5 million euros ($3.4 million). Astrium is a member of the industry team selected by NATO to implement the initial definition phase of its ballistic missile program and has been working with NATO on ballistic missile defense systems since July 2001.

   “Astrium has been a key player in NATO’s ballistic missile defense program. The company is uniquely qualified for this role by virtue of its long experience and unrivalled expertise in the field of ballistic missile warfare in Europe, both as prime contractor for the ballistic missiles deployed by the French deterrent forces and through its space rendezvous knowhow acquired in connection with the ATV space cargo vessel,” NATO said in a statement.

   Astrium said it anticipates future operational requirements under the program and has prepared by developing a family of exoatmospheric interceptors named Exoguard. The interceptors aim to advance technological research in a wide range of analysis techniques – from threat evaluation and weapon assignment, to detailed modeling and simulation and vector and interception vehicle architectures, the company said.