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

摘要

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.