A SBIRS GEO satellite rendering. Photo: Lockheed Martin

[Via Satellite 01-25-2016] The Remote Sensing Systems Directorate of the U.S. Air Force Space Command Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) has completed the Block 10 Integrated Test and Evaluation (IT&E) Readiness Soak for the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIR). In addition to other enhancements, Block 10 consolidates operational Command and Control (C2) of Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites, SBIRS Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) and Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) sensors under one primary mission control station. This is the final Block 10 Increment 2 system test prior to the formal evaluation by the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center.

Personnel from the 460th Operations Group conducted the 14-day test, which demonstrated total system readiness and stability for IT&E start. It included complete C2 and mission management of the full constellation, and full operational crew posture and execution of operations for the final dependability and maintainability assessment prior to IT&E. The system will now progress into IT&E and its formal operational and development evaluation activities.