OREANDA-NEWS. December 21, 2012. Boeing [NYSE: BA] will continue to provide engineering and scientific support for U.S. space situational awareness under an Innovative Research and Optical Site Support (IROSS) contract extension from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

Under the 18-month, USD 67 million extension, Boeing Directed Energy Systems will provide engineering support, conduct research, and maintain and enhance telescope and electro-optical systems at the Starfire Optical Range in New Mexico and the Maui Space Surveillance Complex in Hawaii. Boeing also is assisting with efforts to modernize major observatory systems at the Maui complex, and helping to return the systems from a period of testing and upgrades to full operational status.

"Boeing's teams of highly skilled engineers and scientists at these sites have provided decades of world-class support services, as well as laser and adaptive optics research," said David DeYoung, Boeing Laser Technical Services executive. "We are pleased to be able to work with our Air Force customer to continue to provide the innovative technologies and affordable services that are essential to advancing these programs."

"The Optics Division looks forward to achieving our research goals as we work together with Boeing to move the mission forward," said Col. Joseph Romero, chief, Optics Division, AFRL's Directed Energy Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.