The US Air Force has awarded dual $275 million contracts to TRW/Raytheon and Spectrum Astro for programme definition and risk reduction efforts on the $12 billion Space Based Infrared System Low (SBIRS Low) project. Not selected for the 38-month research effort was a Lockheed Martin-Boeing team. One firm will be selected enter the engineering and manufacturing development. SBIRS Low is to provide precision tracking for National and Theatre Missile Defence systems.

Source: Flight International