The much awaited delivery of Lockheed Martin’s Space Based Infrared Satellite (SBIRS) for the U.S Air Force has been scheduled for the year 2010. The infrared satellite had been going through some rough times, with unexpected glitches and errors popping up during the test phase. However, Lockheed Martin, one of the principle defense contractors to the U.S Department of Defense has announced that, the infrared satellite’s test phases have been going extremely well.

An extremely crucial test of the satellite, that will involve subjecting the highly volatile equipment to extreme weather conditions, should be completed by the middle of November. The final test before the delivery of the Space Based Infrared Satellite will be comprised of an integrated systems test. The infrared satellite for the use of the air force has been designed to detect and provide early warning signatures of incoming ballistic missiles. The expected launch of the satellite is slated sometime in early 2011.

This latest SBIRS sensors will be an addition to the two other infrared sensors currently operational in highly elliptical orbit on two host satellites. The two previous satellites have been functioning exceptionally well and the third satellite, that is scheduled to be deployed in a geosynchronous orbit will greatly add to the current missile launch detection and early warning capabilities of the U.S Strategic Command.

In a statement, the head of the U.S Strategic Command, General Kevin Chilton said,

“We don’t face any immediate gaps right now, but we have stretched out programs to the point of delivery that now you start worry about the success rate of your launches, and you start worrying about some systems lasting longer than their design life.”

Via Reuters.