Integration is underway for the payload module for the fourth AEHF satellite at Northrop Grumman facilities. Photo: Northrop Grumman

[Via Satellite 04-14-2014] Northrop Grumman shipped its fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite payload module to Lockheed Martin two months ahead of schedule. Later this year, complex phased array and nulling antennas will be shipped to complete the payload delivery.

Since the last payload shipment four years ago, Northrop Grumman has been developing a new hybrid integration approach with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center. This approach allows Lockheed Martin to start satellite bus unit integration at the same time as the Northrop Grumman team finishes the remaining payload integration.

“We began work on the fourth payload earlier than originally planned because Lockheed Martin shipped the bus structure early. With the hybrid approach for integrating the payload at our facilities and finishing at Lockheed Martin’s, the government benefits from an overall reduction in program cost and schedule,” said Stuart Linsky, vice president of communication programs at Northrop Grumman.