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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
Space and Missile Systems Center
Los Angeles AFB, CA

We are the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Team, a partnership of government and industry acquisition and operations professionals, committed to providing the nation the very best space based surveillance capability. The systems we develop and operate have served the nation well in the past and are evolving to meet the challenges of the next century.

Infrared surveillance of the earth conducted from the high ground of space has been a vital element in defending the United States for over 25 years and will continue to be an essential enabler of our national security strategy into the 21st century:

The Defense Support Program, fielded in 1970 to detect and deter an attack by intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, prevents another Pearl Harbor surprise attack.
The Attack and Launch Early Reporting to Theater system, which grew out of our experiences in using the Defense Support Program to detect and report Iraqi missiles during Operation Desert Storm, quickly reports ballistic missile launches to United States and Allied forces deployed overseas.
The next-generation Space Based Infrared High and Low systems will evolve in an affordable fashion from today's space infrared detection systems to satisfy more demanding mission needs and to meet the threats predicted for early in the next century.

SBIRS is key to the Air Force and Department of Defense visions for our nation's security in the 21st century. The SBIRS Team recognizes the vital nature of the systems we develop, deploy and sustain and works to satisfy the warfighter's needs on time and within budget. The SBIRS Program Office truly is a world class space systems acquisition organization, and we are continuously improving our efficiency and effectiveness for the benefit of the Nation.

Please take a few minutes to read this booklet and learn about SBIRS, the Nation's global sentry.

DANIEL L. BURKETT II, Colonel, USAF
Program Director
Space Based Infrared System

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