Boeing's troubled Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) programme to develop the next generation of US spy satellites has been restructured. The National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) says it is "comfortable" with the revamped programme after it was scaled back and the budget increased by $4 billion.
NIMA director James Clapper says "the cost schedule and performance parameters are in balance". The $10 billion-25 billion FIA programme, which Boeing won from incumbent spy satellite producer Lockheed Martin, was experiencing major cost overruns and delays.
The restructured programme is "healthy and robust", but may not provide everything originally envisaged, says Clapper.
Source: Flight International