TRW Inc. has successfully transitioned the Launch and Network Control Equipment (LANCE) system to the Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) phase at Schriever Air Force Base.
The LANCE system was developed for the NRO Office of Space Launch and provides significant improvements in launch and satellite control network services through increased automation and simplified operator interfaces.
LANCE was developed and integrated in 18 months for shipment to Schriever AFB. System acceptance testing was completed in four months, one month earlier than originally scheduled. The OT&E phase began in early March.
The TRW LANCE team includes Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, Seal Beach, Calif., and Harris Government Communications Systems Division of Melbourne, Fla. The LANCE system was developed by an integrated government/contractor team at TRW facilities in Redondo Beach, Calif., and Colorado Springs, Colo.
The new system replaces one that used large, mainframe processors with millions of lines of custom software with a modern architecture that integrates commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software components. LANCE’s integrated component design supports the program’s rapid development schedule and early deployment for operational use.
“The LANCE program has been a very important opportunity for TRW to demonstrate our skills at integrating modern commercial technology for the growing satellite ground control business,” said Rick Witton, TRW vice president and general manager for Integrated Information Technologies.
“The LANCE architecture provides a showcase of modern space systems ground control hardware and software that significantly reduces customer operations and maintenance costs,” added Witton.
