Notional image of a SBIRS missile warning satellite. Credit: Lockheed Martin/US Space Force.

The US Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) has delivered the sixth and last Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit satellite (GEO).

The SBIRS GEO-6 was delivered from the Lockheed Martin Space facility in Sunnyvale, California, to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

It was transported aboard a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft. An SBIRS team based at Los Angeles Air Force Base (AFB) in California and a flight crew from the US Air Force’s (USAF) 60th Air Mobility Wing based at Travis AFB, California, supported the delivery.

SSC SBIRS GEO-5/6 production programme manager major Matthew Blystone said: “It represents long-term collaboration between USSF and a team of Lockheed Martin Space, Northrop Grumman Space Systems, The Aerospace Corporation, multiple support contractors, and government personnel.

“Our near-peer adversaries continue to evolve missile technologies to be more lethal and difficult to detect; SBIRS allows us to continue outpacing those threats.”

The delivery of the last space vehicle marks the completion of the SBIRS constellation and the end of the development programme.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The SBIRS constellation delivers constant infrared surveillance for supporting missile defence, technical intelligence, missile warning and battlespace awareness.

This data allows the intelligence community, Missile Defence Agency, and combatant commands and coalition partners to ensure the security of the US and its allies.

The SSC is currently working on the production of the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (NGG) system.

The Next-Gen OPIR system will eventually replace the SBIRS satellites. It will act as the first indicator of any missile launch and provide resilient missile warning capability against counter-space and emerging missile threats.