The program later was renamed AST, and the original support mission was changed to data-gathering for ballistic missile defense development and resolving issues associated with target characteristics. Under contract with the U.S. Army's Space and Missile Defense Command , Boeing has modified a 767 commercial jet aircraft to carry a long-wavelength IR sensor housed in a cupola atop the 767's fuselage.
Infrared sensors detect the comparative heat of objects.
The AST sensor, comprising more than 30,000 detector elements, is sensitive enough to detect the heat of a human body at a distance of more than 1,000 miles against the cold background of space. The AST sensor has demonstrated the capability to detect, track and discriminate warheads from missile components, debris and decoys, both from the ambient temperature of an object prior to launch and from the heat generated during reentry into Earth's atmosphere. Boeing was awarded the original AOA contract in July 1984. As the integration contractor, Boeing responsibilities included procuring the data processor, as well as all recording, communications and support equipment. Hughes Aircraft Electro-Optical Data Systems Group designed, built and maintains the IR sensor.