Lockheed Martin completed development of the Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) Interim Operations software for the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), the company announced. SBIRS is designed to provide early warning of missile launches, and support other missions simultaneously, including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace characterization.

“This represents a significant milestone for the SBIRS system,” John Mengucci, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Department of Defense Systems, said in a statement. “HEO Payload data processing will afford greater access to time-sensitive infrared data and is an important step on our path to deliver capabilities for surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance missions.”