Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared

Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared is a critical component of the United States Space Force's Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), designed to provide early warning of ballistic missile launches and support other missile defense missions, such as those conducted by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). The system is being developed by Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies, to replace the existing Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites, which were launched by NASA and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). The Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared system will work in conjunction with other space-based surveillance systems, including the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) and the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP), to provide comprehensive space situational awareness.

Introduction

The Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared system is designed to provide persistent infrared surveillance of the Earth's surface, allowing for the detection and tracking of missile launches and other high-temperature events, such as those monitored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The system will consist of a constellation of satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), providing coverage of the entire Earth's surface, with a focus on theaters of operation such as the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region, where US Central Command (CENTCOM) and US Pacific Command (PACOM) operate. The system will be integrated with other command and control systems, including the Global Command and Control System (GCCS) and the Theater Battle Management Core Systems (TBMCS), to provide situational awareness and support decision-making by commanders such as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense.

History

The development of the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared system began in the early 2000s, with the US Air Force issuing a request for proposal (RFP) to industry partners, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, to develop a replacement for the Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites, which were launched by NASA and operated by the US Air Force. The program has undergone several changes and delays over the years, including a Nunn-McCurdy breach in 2010, which required the US Congress to reauthorize the program, with support from Senator Carl Levin and Representative Buck McKeon. The program is currently managed by the US Space Force's Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), in partnership with the US Air Force's Space Command and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), with support from DARPA and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

System Components

The Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared system consists of several key components, including the spacecraft bus, provided by Lockheed Martin, the infrared sensor payload, developed by Northrop Grumman, and the ground control system, built by Raytheon Technologies. The system also includes a communications subsystem, provided by L3Harris Technologies, and a launch vehicle, such as the Atlas V or Delta IV, supplied by United Launch Alliance (ULA). The system will be integrated with other space-based systems, including the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) and the Advanced Technology Reconnaissance System (ATRS), to provide comprehensive space situational awareness and support missile defense operations, such as those conducted by the US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).

Operational Capabilities

The Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared system will provide several key operational capabilities, including persistent infrared surveillance of the Earth's surface, detection and tracking of missile launches, and support for missile defense operations, such as those conducted by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The system will also provide space situational awareness and support command and control operations, such as those conducted by the US European Command (EUCOM) and the US Africa Command (AFRICOM). The system will be able to detect and track ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and other aerospace vehicles, such as those used by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

Development and Acquisition

The development and acquisition of the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared system is being managed by the US Space Force's Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), in partnership with the US Air Force's Space Command and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), with support from DARPA and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The program is currently in the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase, with several key milestones and deadlines, including the critical design review (CDR) and the production readiness review (PRR), which will be overseen by the US Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The system is expected to be launched in the mid-2020s, with initial operational capability (IOC) expected in the late 2020s, and full operational capability (FOC) expected in the early 2030s, with support from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Technical Specifications

The Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared system will have several key technical specifications, including a spacecraft bus with a mass of approximately 5,000 kilograms (11,000 pounds), a power generation system capable of producing up to 5 kilowatts (kW) of electric power, and a communications subsystem with a data rate of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), using satellite communications systems such as Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) and Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF). The system will also have a sensor payload with a detection range of up to 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles), and a tracking accuracy of up to 10 meters (33 feet), using infrared sensors and signal processing systems developed by Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies. The system will be launched into geosynchronous orbit (GEO) using a launch vehicle such as the Atlas V or Delta IV, supplied by United Launch Alliance (ULA), with support from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Category:US Space Force