Lockheed Martin’s Sunnyvale-based Space Systems division is to be a prime beneficiary of a $1.5 billion contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force in the next stage of the build-out of its Space-Based Infrared System designed to provide early warning of missile launches, along with other defense-oriented monitoring activities, according to a release issued by Lockheed today.

Lockheed’s Sunnyvale division acts as the the prime contractor for the Space-Based Infrared System, which currently has two satellite systems, or “payloads”, in orbit.

The current contract is for work on the third payload set to be launched in 2010 from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Base. A fourth possible satellite contract is expected to be awarded later this year, according to Lockheed’s release.