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In a significant advancement for missile defense technology, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has been selected by Lockheed Martin Space to supply missile warning, tracking, and defense payloads. These systems are essential components of Lockheed Martin's project under the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer Program, which involves deploying 18 satellites. by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 19, 2024
In a significant advancement for missile defense technology, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has been selected by Lockheed Martin Space to supply missile warning, tracking, and defense payloads. These systems are essential components of Lockheed Martin's project under the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer Program, which involves deploying 18 satellites.
GA-EMS is tasked with creating the Electro Optical and Infrared (EO/IR) sensor systems, comprising 16 Wide-Field-of-View (WFOV) Missile Warning/Missile Tracking infrared payloads and two Fire Control/Missile Defense (FC/MD) infrared payloads. These will be integrated into satellites set for a 2027 launch, aiming to enhance global missile detection and defense capabilities.
Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS, expressed the company's pride in contributing to Lockheed Martin Space's efforts for the SDA's Tranche 2 Tracking Layer program. He highlighted the importance of the payloads in supporting military operations against advanced and conventional missile threats, including hypersonic missiles, by providing real-time global missile warning, tracking, and defense.
The payloads developed by GA-EMS are designed for integration onto Lockheed Martin's satellites, which will orbit low Earth orbit (LEO) as part of the SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture LEO constellation. This deployment aims to ensure persistent worldwide real-time missile detection and tracking.
Dr. Steven Wein, senior director of GA-EMS Optical Sensor Systems, detailed the team's specialization in compact, high-performance EO/IR sensor systems. He emphasized the importance of GA-EMS's in-house expertise in delivering these advanced, cost-effective payload solutions, which are crucial for national security. The project also expands GA-EMS's portfolio of surveillance and sensing assets, including their work on the EO/IR Weather System (EWS) satellite program for the U.S. Space Force.
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