[Satnews] Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center and the 460th Space Wing have confirmed that Command and Control of the Space-Based Infrared Systems and Defense Support Program satellites and payloads have been transferred from their legacy ground system to the new Block 10 ground system.
AFSPC approved cutover of C2 for DSP and SBIRS constellations March 18 from the legacy sites at Buckley AFB, Colorado, Schriever AFB, Colorado, and Boulder, Colorado to one consolidated site at the Mission Control Station at Buckley AFB, Colorado, and its backup mission control station at Schriever AFB. Cutover was successfully completed March 21.
"This is a major milestone along the path to demonstrating the ability for Block 10 to conduct the missile-warning and defense missions of the SBIRS and DSP constellations, and to gain operational acceptance," said Col. Mike Guetlein, Remote Sensing Systems director. "The benefits realized from the increase in performance capability across the four mission areas of missile-warning, missile-defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence cannot be overstated."
The next major milestone decision is the Air Force program executive office certification for entry into Trial Period and Operational User Evaluation, currently scheduled for the end of May.
"Our ops teams have been working very hard with the developers to get to this point over the past several years," added Col. John Wagner, 460th Space Wing commander. "This is truly an historic day for us as we've formally transitioned to now flying our spacecraft constellations through the new upgraded SBIRS Block 10 ground system. We're thankful for the continued partnerships that are enabling this seamless transition and increased Global Vigilance."
The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center will utilize data from the Integrated Test and Evaluation test campaign and OUE, and AFSPC will utilize data from the Integrated Test and Evaluation test campaign and Trial Period to determine Operational Acceptance in November 2016.
