Insider Brief
- KBR has been awarded a seven-year contract valued at $176 million to modernize and maintain critical space surveillance systems at the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site (AMOS) in Hawaii, a key asset in the U.S. military’s space domain awareness efforts, which is vital for monitoring satellites and other space objects.
- The contract, announced by the Department of Defense, falls under the purview of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), which partners with the Space Force’s 5th Space Surveillance Squadron to operate the facility.
- The project will run through April 2032, with KBR tasked with supporting the modernization and ongoing operations of various space domain awareness systems, including the facility’s Advanced Electro Optical System and Raven telescopes, along with other critical mission hardware.
PRESS RELEASE – KBR has reportedly been awarded a seven-year contract valued at $176 million to modernize and maintain critical space surveillance systems at the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site (AMOS) in Hawaii. The site, a key asset in the U.S. military’s space domain awareness efforts, is vital for monitoring satellites and other space objects. Originally established in the 1950s for missile test surveillance during the Cold War, AMOS now operates advanced telescopes that track space-based assets, supporting both the Air Force and the U.S. Space Force’s surveillance operations.
The contract, announced by the Department of Defense, falls under the purview of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), which partners with the Space Force’s 5th Space Surveillance Squadron to operate the facility. KBR’s role will involve maintaining and upgrading the site’s legacy space sensors and equipment, ensuring the facility remains a crucial component in the country’s space defense infrastructure.
AMOS, located at an elevation of 10,000 feet, is part of the Maui Space Surveillance Complex, known for its high-performance computing capabilities that bolster the site’s space surveillance operations. NASA also operates a telescope within the complex, further enhancing its contribution to space research and monitoring.
This contract underscores KBR’s strategic focus on the space sector. The company’s acquisition of space technology firms such as Centauri and LinQuest in recent years signals its intent to deepen its engagement in space domain awareness and other space-related services. The contract is part of a broader initiative to support the U.S. military’s efforts in managing and securing space, a domain that is becoming increasingly important as space activities grow.
The project will run through April 2032, with KBR tasked with supporting the modernization and ongoing operations of various space domain awareness systems, including the facility’s Advanced Electro Optical System and Raven telescopes, along with other critical mission hardware.
Image credit: KBR
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