Boeing Awarded $189 Million Space-Based Surveillance System Contract
A Boeing and Ball
Aerospace team has won a $189 million contract to develop and initially
operate the Space-Based Space Surveillance System (SBSS) for the U.S. Air
Force.
The SBSS detects and tracks space objects, such as satellites and orbital
debris. The Department of Defense will utilize data generated by the SBSS to
support military operations. Additionally, NASA could use the information to
calculate orbital debris collision avoidance measures for the International
Space Station and Space Shuttle missions.
“To be part of the team selected to develop and field this highly
innovative and critically important space-based capability for the Air Force
is a great honor,” said Tom McDonald, vice president of Transformational Space
Systems for Phantom Works, Boeing’s advanced R&D unit. “In addition to its
importance to the Air Force, this program also opens an important new market
for Boeing and industry.”
The SBSS contract calls for the Boeing team to develop a satellite, the
ground segment, and provide launch services. The team will also be responsible
for mission planning, mission data processing and operation of the system for
up to one year, prior to transitioning it to the Air Force. The SBSS satellite
is slated to be launched by mid to late 2007.
“Boeing is extremely pleased to have the opportunity to develop and field
this important new-generation space capability for the Air Force,” said John
Fuller, executive director, Boeing Air Force Space Systems.
After the competitive down-select process, Boeing was chosen for the SBSS
sub-contract by Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, acting on behalf of the U.S.
Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems
carried out this function through the Mission Area Prime Integration Contract
with the Air Force. By winning this initial SBSS contract, Boeing is
strategically positioned to compete for follow-on contracts and other related
programs in the Space Situation Awareness (SSA) market. Current projection for
the SSA mission area is valued at more than $2 billion.
The Boeing SBSS program office is located in Huntington Beach, Calif., and
draws upon Boeing expertise in El Segundo, Calif.; Maui, Hawaii; Colorado
Springs, Colo.; and Leesburg, Va.; Ball Aerospace in Boulder, Colo.; and
Harris Corp. in Melbourne, Fla.
Phantom Works is the advanced research and development unit and catalyst
of innovation for the Boeing enterprise. Through its Integrated Defense
Advanced Systems group, it provides leading edge systems and technology
solutions to Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, one the world’s largest space
and defense businesses.
Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a
$27 billion business that provides systems solutions to its global military,
government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance; the world’s largest military aircraft
manufacturer; the world’s largest satellite manufacturer and a leading
provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for
U.S. missile defense; NASA’s largest contractor; and a global leader in launch
services.
