50.59 (+0.76) 
Responder™ Modular Payload Design Enables Rapid Fielding of Tactical Space Assets
Date posted: 08/19/2009*
Raytheon has unveiled Responder™, an innovative payload design concept featuring a suite of interchangeable mission-specific sensors that could be deployed rapidly to meet immediate customer needs.
The Responder concept offers electro-optical and radio frequency payload configurations. Because the basic payload designs employ standard plug-and-play technology for easy integration with the sensor, Responder can significantly reduce total program cost and schedule. It provides military leaders the opportunity to rapidly deploy sensors matched to mission need, and test new space technologies as part of a spiral development program.
Bill Hart, vice president of Raytheon’s Space Systems group, estimates that Responder production cycles would range between two and three years and cut costs 30 to 50 percent by enhancing efficiency in such areas as finance, supply chain management and contracts.
“We believe Responder is going to revolutionize the way space gets done in the future,” Hart said. “By adding a more streamlined production capability for certain payloads, Responder will help to make access to space more affordable, and more routine, than ever before.”
Responder is based on experience Raytheon gained through the fast-track ARTEMIS, recently activated aboard TacSat-3, and the Mini-RF programs.
Learn more about Responder.
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