Air Force space officials have cleared the first space based infrared system sensor payload, HEO-1, and its ground element for operational service after an extensive period of on-orbit evaluations. “This is a great moment for the SBIRS program,” said Col. Roger Teague, commander of the Space Based Infrared Systems Wing at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., in an Air Force Space Command release Nov. 12. He added, “Achievement of this milestone represents many years of hard work by space operators, acquirers, and testers alike.” HEO-1 resides in highly elliptical orbit on a classified intelligence satellite. It provides “an unprecedented infrared view of the battlefield” over the existing constellation of defense support program early warning satellites, including “real-time data on missiles, aircraft, and other events,” AFSPC said. During the trials prior to AFSPC’s operational acceptance, live HEO-1 data were, for the first time, injected into warfighter operational networks. US Strategic Command still needs to certify the operational readiness of HEO-1 and its ground component, which is expected later this year. HEO-2, the second SBIRS payload on orbit, passed on-orbit checks this summer and is expected to begin operations early next year.
DNI: Cyber Is The Common Weapon Among Top Adversaries
April 17, 2021
The top four U.S. adversaries—China, Russia, Iran and North Korea—are improving their military capabilities but relying increasingly on cyber means to challenge the U.S. and blunt its influence around the world, the intelligence community's annual threat assessment says. The report comes amid military tensions with both China and Russia.