Advanced EHF Satellite Static Load Test Success

Source: Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]

Lockheed Martin announced November 7, 2005, that it has successfully completed static loads testing of the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) satellite structure. They claim the test validated the satellite's strength and ability to sustain its launch weight of over 13,000 pounds. Advanced EHF satellites will provide global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications for the U.S. Department of Defense. Advanced EHF satellites are based on Lockheed Martin's A2100 spacecraft series.

The structure has been delivered to Lockheed Martin's facilities in Sunnyvale, California, to begin a modal survey, which will ensure that sources of vibration such as reaction wheels, solar arrays and various deployable and steerable mechanisms will not impact the critical mission of the communications payload.

Production of the first Advanced EHF spacecraft structure is underway and acceptance testing has started prior to integration with the satellite's propulsion subsystem components.

Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide the first two Advanced EHF satellites and command control system to its customer, the MILSATCOM Joint Program Office, located at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California.

Advanced EHF is the follow-on to the Milstar system. Milstar's voice, data and video teleconferencing communications were used recently in the military's coordination of necessary resources for hurricane relief operations. Advanced EHF will provide 10 times greater total capacity, and offer channel data rates six times higher than that of Milstar II satellites.