[Satellite TODAY 02-22-13] The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems two contracts to produce the Space-Based Infrared Systems GEO 5-6 satellite (SBIRS) and purchase materials needed to construct its seventh and eighth GPS-3 satellites. The two awards are worth a combined $342.6 million.

   SBIRS is part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s missile defense program and provides satellite-based global infrared surveillance capabilities to instantly detect missile launches on Earth. Lockheed Martin was originally contracted to build two GEO satellites, but was subsequently contracted to build the fifth and sixth GEO satellites.

   Lockheed’s GPS-3 contract is worth $58.2 million. The manufacturer is already working on a preexisting $62 million GPS contract awarded this month, for work on the fifth and sixth GPS-3 satellites. The GPS 3 system aims to improve position, navigation, and timing services and provide advanced anti-jam capabilities, yielding superior system security, accuracy, and reliability in the U.S. system of GPS satellites.