JUNE 18, 2007--The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has awarded Goodrich Corporation (Charlotte, NC, USA) a contract to adapt an imaging sensor, currently flying on the U2 aircraft, for use as a space payload. Says Ken Luczaj, president of Goodrich's ISR Systems division, "This award reinforces our long-term strategy to supply innovative, electro- optical systems that provide rapid-reaction intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, or 'ISR,' capabilities to the warfighter.
"By adapting existing sensor designs and technologies, we can provide the US armed forces with an ISR capability that is proven to be compatible with existing command-and-control infrastructures. Furthermore, this award supports the emerging need for payloads compatible with the mission of operationally responsive space, or 'ORS.' ORS payloads can be used to rapidly augment and/or replenish space capabilities in times of national need. They can also provide a distributed capability, lessening the vulnerability of the US constellation of imaging satellites. Demonstrations of antisatellite capabilities by foreign governments only serve to underscore the importance of this type of system capability," Luczaj continued.
The Goodrich imaging sensor, originally developed for use on the high-altitude U2 surveillance airplane, is one of the United States' most capable, long-range airborne electro-optical sensors. The research and design work to develop it for space is taking place at Goodrich's Electro-Optical Systems site in Danbury, CT, USA.
For more information visit www.goodrich.com.
