Optical Payload Center of Excellence

"The center provides a unique collaborative setting for Lockheed Martin technologists. We’re building on decades of experience in optical payloads, and now we will use a fully digital environment that links all stages of development to accelerate collaboration. We’re connecting with our best of industry partners, government labs and universities to advance payloads and rapidly mature technologies, such as digital focal plane technologies, directed energy lasers, ladar systems and specialized lens and mirror research. We’re driving all aspects of our optical payload technology into the future through the use of the Digital Tapestry."

Thomas Malko, vice president of Engineering & Technology

The Future of Optics has Arrived

Digital Difference

Lockheed Martin’s digital tapestry is a framework that ties everything together digitally, from concept to product realization. It is requirements, design, manufacturing and test all connected as a single thread. Efficient and effective. Under the digital tapestry, when these efforts are united, we can make amazingly complex system faster and more affordably.

This center of excellence enables new frontiers in visible-light and infrared systems, missile defense, space exploration and much more. We’re uniting design teams into one fast-acting, collaborative unit. Its members integrate experts across the nation, within Lockheed Martin, our industry partners and leading research universities into one fast acting collaborative unit within the Optical Payload Center of Excellence.

Clear Vision

Q&A with Eric Johnson, the Optical Payload Center of Excellence director

Our approach to developing optical technologies unites expertise and accelerates ideas. Learn more about optical payloads and how this center of excellence works in this Q&A with Eric Johnson, the center’s director.

Trusted Experience

Lockheed Martin is no newcomer to optical technology, harnessing the physics and science of optical technology as we demonstrate our deep understanding and heritage in optical missions. We have a history of partnering with the best talent in industry, government labs and universities to achieve mission success over the waterfront of missions. From small to large, commercial space to classified space, optical solutions are a passion. They are part of Lockheed Martin’s DNA.

Case Study: Small Sat, Big Difference

Lockheed Martin not only works to improve optical technology but the entire life cycle of development. From analysis to production and testing, we maximize digital and virtual reality systems to accelerate solutions. For example, NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph went from concept to payload completion in just 36 months.

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