Laser Team Defines Requirements for Missile Defense System

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 5 – The team of aerospace contractors developing the Air Force's Space-Based Laser Integrated Flight Experiment (SBL-IFX) has successfully completed the experimental satellite's System Requirements Review.
Team SBL-IFX, a joint venture comprising TRW, Lockheed Martin and Boeing, reviewed SBL-IFX's system-level specifications and key development milestones with the Air Force and Ballistic Missile Defense Organization during the review, held March 28-29 in El Segundo, Calif.
SBL-IFX is planned as a single satellite carrying a laser payload comprising a high-energy chemical laser, a beam director and related beam control systems. Team SBL-IFX and the Air Force will launch the satellite in 2012, with an on-orbit demonstration of the satellite's ability to detect, track and destroy a boosting missile target planned for 2013. A successful test will pave the way for the nation to consider developing a constellation of space-based laser satellites as part of layered missile defense architecture.