Critical payload testing begins for first missle warning satellite

CRITICAL PAYLOAD TESTING BEGINS FOR FIRST MISSILE WARNING SATELLITE BUILT BY
LOCKHEED MARTIN

SUNNYVALE, CALIF., November 23, 2005

The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led team developing the nation's
next-generation missile warning system announced today that it has completed
preparations to enable the payload for the first Space-Based Infrared System
(SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite to begin engineering thermal
vacuum testing.

The SBIRS GEO payload, developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:
NOC) Electronic Systems sector, consists of a scanning sensor and a staring
sensor, with sensor pointing achieved by the spacecraft's Pointing Control
Assembly (PCA). The scanning sensor is designed for continuous observation
and surveillance of traditional intercontinental ballistic missile threats,
while the staring sensor is designed to detect very low signature,
short-burn-duration theatre missiles. The staring sensor recently completed
its flight-acceptance test.

One of the most significant program milestones, thermal vacuum testing
verifies the payload functionality and performance in a vacuum environment,
where the payload is stressed at temperature extremes greater than those
expected during on-orbit operations. The baseline ambient functional tests
as well as radiometric tests will be repeated in this
"test-it-like-it-flies" environment with the infrared sensors at their
cryogenic operating temperatures.

"The start of engineering thermal vacuum testing is a significant
achievement and represents our sustained momentum on this critical national
program," said Mark Crowley, Lockheed Martin's SBIRS vice president.
"Following this vital test phase, approximately 90 percent of the GEO
payload development activities will be complete and the team will be another
step closer to launching this first-of-its-kind satellite."

The successful completion of thermal vacuum preparations marks the
completion of the initial development of over 100,000 lines of flight
software code for the Signal Processing Assembly (SPA) software and Pointing
Control Assembly (PCA) software. In addition, development of the Electrical
Support Equipment and its associated software as well as dozens of test
scripts required to put the payload through its paces have been completed.

"The GEO payload will be thoroughly tested in the vacuum testing phase,"
said Sal Romano, vice president of the SBIRS program at Northrop Grumman.
"This process will further assure that the SBIRS GEO payload will deliver
outstanding surveillance and detection of missile threats."

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., is developing the SBIRS
program under contract to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems
Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Northrop Grumman Electronic
Systems, Azusa, Calif., is the payload provider.

When fully operational, SBIRS will comprise two payloads in highly
elliptical orbit (HEO), four satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), as
well as fixed and mobile ground-based assets to receive and process the
infrared data. The team has delivered both HEO payloads and is on track to
begin final integration and test of the first GEO satellite in preparation
for launch in fiscal year 2008.

SBIRS High already is providing the nation enhanced worldwide
missile-detection and tracking capabilities, battlefield data, and technical
intelligence through its consolidated ground segment operations at Air Force
Space Command, Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.

Contact:
Media Contact: Steve Tatum, 408-742-7531; e-mail,

NOTE TO EDITORS: for low- and high-resolution JPEG image files of the GEO-1
payload, please visit our SBIRS web page at:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/sbirs/


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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info