Specifications:
All specifications remain classified

Donor: Grumman Aerospace Corporation

Bethpage and Sunnyval, CA, 1996

Due to the increased threat of ballistic missile attack on the United States, beginning in 1989 Grumman began to design a new generation of Early Warning Satellites. These satellites are to orbit high above the Earth and instantly detect any hostile missile launches, accurately predict flight paths and assist ground-based weapons in destroying the attackers. Grumman is now teamed with Lockheed on the final version of the satellite called the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS). As part of this program Grumman developed the most advanced sensor technology in existence. The SBIRS satellite will provide the United States with greatly improved missile warning. This is a full-scale engineering mockup of Grumman's original satellite concept. It forms the basis for the actual unit now in production. Four SBIR satellites will be built for a total cost of $2 Billion. The first is expected to be launched in 2004.