The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a $30 million contract for the development phase of the Self-Awareness Space Situational Awareness (SASSA) technology demonstration program.

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will develop a technology demonstration payload to provide tactical space situational awareness with dedicated communications. The surveillance system will increase critical awareness of threats to U.S. satellites and demonstrate the capability to control and manage up to eight instruments for operational systems implementation.

The Space Superiority Systems Wing of the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. initiated the program after recognizing an emerging need to protect vital defense satellite systems that ensure national security.

"We are excited to continue our work with the Air Force on this critical program," said Phil Bowen, director of surveillance and intelligence systems at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "Our SASSA approach will leverage our extensive system engineering and integration expertise, utilizing mature hardware and software to provide our customer with a low-risk, mission effective solution for this vitally important capability.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, is one of two companies selected for the two year development phase resulting in a downselect for spacecraft integration and on-orbit operations based on technical, cost and schedule performance that is scheduled to run through 2011, with options for 2012 and 2013.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation, meteorological and communications satellites and instruments; space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; fleet ballistic missiles; and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.