"Delivery of the SBIRS GEO-4 core structure is a major milestone indicating the program is continuing to meet its commitments. Based on lessons learned from the first two SBIRS geosynchronous satellites, production of GEO-3 and GEO-4 is proceeding very well. In addition, we have a number of affordability initiatives in place jointly with the Air Force to continually reduce the cost of each follow-on SBIRS satellite," said Louie Lombardo, Director of Lockheed Martin's SBIRS Follow-on Production (SFP) program. Lockheed Martin engineers and technicians will now integrate the propulsion subsystem with the core structure, which is essential for maneuvering the satellite during transfer orbit to its final location, as well as conducting on-orbit repositioning maneuvers throughout its mission life. The integrated core propulsion module will then be shipped to Sunnyvale, California, for final assembly, integration and test. SBIRS GEO-4 is on schedule to be available for launch in 2015.