Has a launch azimuth or upper stage configuration been announced for the classified Atlas mission described in this excerpt from Florida Today's Web page? Jan. 26: Air Force Atlas 2A on AC-109 with a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload from pad 36A at Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla., during a launch period of 12:15 to 2:15 p.m. EST (1715- 1915 GMT). If it's going into a Molniya orbit, it may be a test platform for the COBRA BRASS/SBIRS + TRUMPET follow-on that has been discussed for some time now, and is apparently going to become operational in, IIRC, 2001 or thereabouts: Excerpts from http://www.defensedaily.com/peds/airf/0603441F.htm FY 1997 RDT&E Descriptive Summary Program Element: 0603441F Budget Activity: 4 - Demonstration and Validation Program Element Title: Space Based IR Arch (Dem/Val) (Space) (U) This PE funds the SBIRS Demonstration/Validation activities: Space and Missile Tracking System (SMTS) and Cobra Brass (CB). SMTS is the Dem/Val effort for the LEO component of SBIRS, CB will provide data for the GEO and HEO components. This program is in the demonstration and validation Budget Activity Research Category because it funds the risk reduction and an advanced technology demonstration system. (U) CB is currently being developed by Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM. CB is planning to launch in FY98.