DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: Space-Based Infrared System-low at Risk of Missing Initial Deployment Date

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DOD) considers missile defense to counter attacks from ballistic missiles, both long-range strategic and shorter-range theater missiles, to be critical to our national security. The Air Force is developing a new satellite system, called Space-Based Infrared System-low (SBIRS)-low, to expand DODs current infrared satellite capabilities for supporting ballistic missile defense. The ability to detect missile launches, track missiles throughout their flights, and counter these threats is essential to ballistic missile defense. The primary mission of SBIRS-low is to detect launches and track missile flights. SBIRS-low accomplishes this by using infrared sensors to detect the heat missiles radiate. DOD plans to begin launching SBIRS-low satellites in fiscal year 2006 and estimates the life-cycle cost 1 through fiscal year 2022 to be $11.8 billion.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA387717

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Defense Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Detectors
  • Elliptical Orbits
  • Military Acquisition
  • National Security
  • Reconnaissance Satellites
  • Software Development
  • Space Based
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Theater Ballistic Missiles
  • United States
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Ballistic Missile Meteorology
  • Computer Vision.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Space Objects