Major progress repored in Next-Gen OPIR Missile Warning Program

Major progress repored in Next-Gen OPIR Missile Warning Program
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 01, 2024

Space Systems Command (SSC) has reached a significant milestone with the successful delivery of the first mission payload for the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) sensing in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (NGG). This achievement, announced on Aug. 30, 2024, was made possible through a collaborative effort with Lockheed Martin Space and Raytheon Technologies Corporation.

The NGG-1 payload was transported from Raytheon's Mission Payload Facility in El Segundo, California, to Lockheed Martin's Space Vehicle Integration Facility in Sunnyvale, California. This move followed the successful completion of thermal vacuum chamber testing, which took place from Apr. 26 to Aug. 12, 2024.

At Lockheed Martin's facility, the payload will be integrated with the satellite bus and subjected to further rigorous system testing under conditions simulating the extreme vacuum and temperature fluctuations it will encounter in space.

Once operational in orbit, NGG-1 will enhance the U.S.'s capability to detect advanced missile threats, including hypersonic weapons. The payload is on track for its initial launch capability, projected for December 2025.

NGG-1 represents the first of two payloads being developed for geosynchronous Earth orbit as part of the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Missile Warning Program. The program also includes the development of OPIR sensors for highly elliptical orbit, known as Next-Generation Polar (NGP). Both NGG and NGP are designed to provide improved strategic missile warning capabilities that are more resilient against emerging threats. SSC's Space Sensing Strategic Missile Warning Acquisition Delta manages this program.

"Next-Gen OPIR capabilities will ensure we maintain an asymmetric advantage against adversarial threats," said Capt. Christian Pung, section chief, Mission Payloads, SSC NGG Program. "Our advancements in early warning capabilities strengthen our ability to track incoming missiles and deter their potential effects throughout all phases of a conflict. I look forward to our team of military, civilian, Federally Funded Research and Development Center, and industry partners continuing to work together to keep ahead of threats and future conflicts in space."

The sensors positioned in geosynchronous and polar Earth orbits provide unique advantages in persistence and stare coverage, contributing to the overall strength, reliability, and resilience of future space architectures. When these capabilities are combined with proliferated constellations in medium Earth orbit and low Earth orbit, they enhance the resiliency needed to counter a variety of advanced missile threats throughout their trajectories, from initial boost to post-boost phases.

"OPIR technology has played a critical role in our nation's defense for over 60 years and remains essential to warfighting today and for the future," said Maj. Kara Jarvis, deputy materiel leader, SSC Next Gen OPIR GEO Program. "The Next-Gen OPIR constellation provides the reliability needed as we advance a resilient, multi-orbit missile warning and tracking architecture for the Space Force, warfighters, allies, partners, and our nation."

Space Systems Command serves as the U.S. Space Force's field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to protect the nation's strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC oversees a $15.6 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and collaborates with joint forces, industry, government agencies, academic institutions, and allied organizations to stay ahead of emerging threats. The work done today is paving the way for a safer, more secure space environment for the future.