SBIRS Low

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STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

SPACE BASED INFRARED SYSTEMS (SBIRS) LOW

PROGRAM DEFINITION (PD)

1.0 Program Scope

The Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) Low Component Program Definition (PD) effort will result in an initial system design which can be used to develop, manufacture, deliver, operate, and sustain the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) portion of the SBIRS System-of-Systems (SoS) architecture. The SBIRS Low system design includes a space segment and associated ground elements. This design must satisfy threshold SBIRS Operational Requirements Document (ORD) requirements as allocated in the SBIRS Low PD Technical Requirements Document (TRD). The design must also reflect PD cost/military utility trade study recommendations (i.e., Cost as an Independent Variable). Successful accomplishment of the SBIRS Low PD objectives will support a Milestone II decision to enter Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD). An overview of the acquisition schedule for this PD effort is included as Figure 1.

1.1.1 Congress mandated an accelerated SBIRS Low program deployment and the Department of Defense and the USAF have committed to beginning this deployment in FY04. The timeline for the SBIRS Low for Increment 3 to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC) is dependent on evolving requirements. The SBIRS Low program will be developed as part of the SBIRS SoS architecture. The acquisition of this architecture is proceeding in four increments as is described in the SBIRS Single Acquisition and Management Plan (SAMP). Increment 1 consists of the consolidation of the Defense Support Program (DSP) overseas ground operations in CONUS. Increment 2 refers to the actual deployment of the SBIRS High Block I. Increment 3 will add the SBIRS Low capabilities to the SoS architecture. In Increment 4, the SBIRS High/Low system will be updated as driven by the evolving environment to provide best value to the government. Additional detail is available in the SBIRS SAMP.

2. The baseline SBIRS architecture includes satellites in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and sensors hosted on satellites in Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO). Ground assets include: a Continental United States (CONUS)-based Mission Control Station (MCS), a backup MCS (MCSB), a survivable MCS (SMCS); overseas Relay Ground Stations (RGSs) and a survivable RGS (SRGS); Multi-Mission Mobile Processors (M³Ps) with associated communications links; and training, launch and support infrastructures. The SBIRS Low for Increment 3 provides the LEO satellite constellation for precision midcourse tracking capability critical for effective Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD). SBIRS Low for Increment 3 will also improve capabilities for missile warning, technical intelligence, and battlespace characterization to complement the performance of the other SBIRS elements. The SBIRS Low for Increment 3 includes provisions to incorporate associated ground elements to provide any unique command, control, data processing, and external interface capability to the entire SBIRS ground segment.
3. The SBIRS System of Systems (SoS) contractor will have Total System Performance Responsibility (TSPR) for the SoS performance (integrated SBIRS High/Low performance) for Increment 3. The SBIRS Low contractor will have TSPR to the Low system specification for Increment 3. The SBIRS Low for Increment 3 ground elements will be developed by the SBIRS Low contractor. These ground elements will be integrated by the SoS and the SBIRS Low for Increment 3 contractor, during the SBIRS Low EMD phase to meet the Increment 3 architecture requirements.

Figure 2 provides a top level description of activities associated with the four increments of the SBIRS Master Acquisition Strategy. Figure 3 provides a decomposition of Increments 3 and 4 strategy. The following are specific objectives (not in priority order):

2.1 Design SBIRS Low component for Increment 3.

2.2 Define an integrated SBIRS Increment 4 conceptual architecture

2.3 Define an Increment 3 to Increment 4 transition approach.

2.4 Define a Test and Evaluation approach for verification of SBIRS Low component performance requirements for Increment 3.

2.5 Define and justify an integrated design, production, deployment and sustainment approach for SBIRS Low Increment 3.

2.6 Define, justify and implement a risk management approach to assess, handle, and monitor program risks for SBIRS Low Increment 3.

2.7 Establish a program management approach which provides for minimum government oversight while maintaining government insight.