RR-AIRSS is sponsored by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center and executed by the Air Force Research Laboratorys Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. The program aims to prove that sensors can maintain persistent full-earth surveillance for missile warning.

The full-earth infrared surveillance sensor represents advances in large- scale focal planes, field programmable gate arrays, and on-board data processing technologies.  The sensor is a significant technological improvement over legacy systems, and is potentially less expensive than the current systems due to advances in technology and the elimination of complex sensor- moving mechanisms.

"This accomplishment represents an important step in reducing risks and laying the groundwork for the next generation of space-based infrared systems.  SAIC is pleased to continue a 30-year history of delivering cost effective, highly complex space hardware with excellent performance on short schedules," stated Tom Taverney, SAIC senior vice president.  "We are proud to be a part of the AFRL, SMC, Aerospace team."

The sensor assembly, developed in less than 18 months, is a result of a US$25 million contract awarded to SAIC from the Air Force Research Laboratorys Space Vehicles Directorate in September 2006.

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