Northrop, IAI team on rapid response satellites.

Northrop Grumman and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have teamed to build and launch operational surveillance satellites in a responsive production cycle to provide US government users with unique, all-weather, day/night imaging capabilities.

The initiative is described as a rapid-response, low-risk and affordable space-based radar imaging system designed for 24-hour surveillance in all weather conditions from a low earth orbit. The system is planned as an operationally responsive space initiative that can deliver critical new capabilities to users about 28 months after authorisation to proceed.

Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector will combine its proven intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission systems engineering and systems integration capability with IAI's TECSAR high-resolution, synthetic aperture radar imaging satellite. Mission assurance capabilities, including secure communications and other US system requirements, will be incorporated into the spacecraft by Northrop Grumman with final integration and test at its facilities in Redondo Beach, Calif.

Based on IAI's TECSAR multi-mode X-band radar imaging satellite, this new system can provide significant, near-term, day/night and all-weather point and area collection capability to meet the immediate needs of warfighters in theatre, as well as those of the broader intelligence community. The first TECSAR satellite is scheduled for launch in summer 2007 for the Israeli Ministry of Defence. Northrop Grumman plans to demonstrate the new rapid response capability following the launch.

The satellite is operated with a compact, portable ground system that provides the flexibility to perform tasking and data dissemination from the continental US or from any operational theatre. The satellites can be individually launched from a low-cost Minotaur or Falcon 1 rocket, or as a group of four or more on an EELV-class launcher.