A next-generation ground station for the Air Force's Space Based Infrared System for missile warning and defense has entered certification testing.

Lockheed Martin, maker of the new ground station, said the advance from development follows recent Air Force testing that demonstrated the new ground station's technological maturity.

"Increment 2 is on target to replace the legacy system by 2016 with significant performance improvements," said David Sheridan, Lockheed Martin vice president and SBIRS program director. "Consolidating operations into a centralized SBIRS ground system will enable warfighters to more efficiently monitor worldwide threats and alert responders for immediate action."

Currently, three ground stations at separate locations are required to manage the Defense Support Program (DSP), SBIRS Geosynchronous Orbit satellites and Highly Elliptical Orbit hosted sensor payloads. The Increment 2 ground station consolidates those separate operations into one control statio for persistent infrared surveillance provided by SBIRS.

An effective ground station has to reliably process and quickly deliver data," said Vinny Sica, Lockheed Martin vice president of Space Ground Solutions. "After the Air Force's commanding test we know that Increment 2 can effectively communicate with DSP and SBIRS satellites and payloads. The transition to testing brings the new, efficient ground station nearer to certified operation supporting national security."

In addition to enhancing capabilities, the Increment 2 ground station will reduce the cost to the Air Force of operating and maintaining the sensor system, Lockheed Martin said.