Lockheed Martin Space Systems, a unit of Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT],hassuccessfully tested a proof-of-concept system that will extend the range and effectiveness of the U.S. Navy‘s Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) by thousands of square miles.

The intent is to develop a prototype CEC satellite range extension capability using the Department of Defense‘s Milstar satellite constellation with both anti-aircraft warfare and ballistic missile defense applications. Lockheed Martin said that CEC significantly improves battle force anti-aircraft warfare capabilities by integrating the sensor data of cooperating ships and aircraft into a real-time, fire-control-quality composite track picture that supports integrated engagements.

By simultaneously distributing sensor data on airborne threats to each ship within a battle group, CEC extends the range at which a given ship can engage hostile aircraft and missiles to well beyond its own radar horizon, improving area, local, and self-defense capabilities, the company added.