The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), which controls the USA's network of advanced spy satellites, has picked Boeing over incumbent Lockheed Martin to build the nation's next generation of reconnaissance-imagery spacecraft.
The so-called Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) contract, which is estimated to be worth as much as $5 billion, is a major boost for Boeing as it strives to increase its military and space businesses. Lockheed Martin had held the bulk of the NRO's spy satellite business since the 1950s.
According to Boeing, the NRO contract will run through to 2010. The US manufacturer and the NRO decline to offer contract details, except to say that "the FIA programme will provide the customer with a significant enhancement to the USA's critical intelligence capability over the decade".
Companies teamed with Boeing are Hughes, Raytheon, Kodak and Harris.
Source: Flight International
