Raytheon delivers the first sensor payload for the new Next-Gen OPIR satellites 09/10/2024 | Gabriele Molinelli

Raytheon, an RTX Group business, has delivered the sensor payload destined to the first Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared, (Next-Gen OPIR), Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Block 0 missile warning satellite, which is assembled by prime contractor Lockheed Martin. The delivery of the crucial sensors keeps the program on track for initial launch capability planned in 2025.

The satellite (SV-1) should be in its orbit in space for initial testing in 2026. SV-2 is meant to follow between 2027 and 2028. The Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) program succeeds the current Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) and will provide improved missile launch warning as well as wider intelligence value.

The IR sensors are meant to provide early warning of launch of ballistic missiles, tactical and strategic, from over land and from the sea while also contributing to threat tracking, battlespace awareness, and technical intelligence collection while being more survivable against emerging adversary threats.

The multi-part program includes the GEO satellites, 2 other satellites in Polar orbits, and a new ground segment costing more than $3 billion as it is meant to create a modular, extensible, and cyber-hardened system that will operate the satellites, process mission data downlinked from on-orbit assets and distribute it, thanks to a new FORGE C2 system, new ground relay stations as well as redeveloped existing ones, and other components. This very expensive project has been partially cut down in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget request of the Pentagon, shaving off one satellite: the initial plan had been for 3 Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites complemented by 2 satellites in Polar orbits, but this has been revised to 2 and 2.

The removal of one satellite was justified by enduring usefulness of existing SBIRS satellites as well as new plans to transition detection capability onto new, smaller and cheaper satellites to eventually be placed in Medium and Low Earth Orbits. Both GEO satellites, made by Lockheed Martin, will orbit some 22,000 miles from Earth for maximum surveillance coverage. Their cost exceeds $6 billion.

Raytheon designs and will build the sensor payloads for both GEO satellites, which will provide continuous coverage over mid-latitudes to the existing constellation. The sensor on these satellites include a Wide Field of View (WFOV) wideband sensor focused on dimmer threat targets for improved detection. Prior to the delivery, the sensor payload had to undergo rigorous testing and assessment, including thermal vacuum testing. Thermal vacuum testing exposes the payload to a space-like environment and validates digital models to ensure the sensor meets design requirements.

The second sensor payload is more than 60 percent completed and is scheduled to start thermal vacuum testing in early 2025. The Polar orbit satellites are in the late phases of development and the contract for their manufacture should be awarded soon. The first one should be ready for launch by the end of 2028. Their cost is expected to be over $5,4 billion.

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