The Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) aims to provide the warnings for theater and strategic missile launches to the President, defense secretary and combatant commanders and to deliver infrared data to combatant and joint task force commanders.

      The SBIRS is designed to receive, process and deliver the infrared information to key decision makers through its architecture of hosted sensor payloads in Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO), dedicated Geosynchronous Earth Orbiting (GEO) satellites, and the associated ground infrastructure. Lockheed Martin serves as the SBIRS prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman as the payload integrator and the Air Force Space Command as the operator.