# Next-Gen OPIR -- Ground — Program Element 1206440SF

**Program element:** 1206440SF  
**Component:** U.S. Space Force  
**Appropriation:** 3620F — RDT&E, Space Force  
**Budget Activity:** 5 — System Development & Demonstration  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF

## Summary

U.S. Space Force funding ramps 119% to a $761.4M request in FY2027 — the program's peak, before stepping down 48% across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators funded it in full. Northrop Grumman leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 500.4 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 348.3 |
| FY2027 | Request | 761.4 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 669.0 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 652.2 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 536.4 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 398.2 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 761.4 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 761.4 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 761.4 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 761.4 | +0.0 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (2)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 657106 | Next-Gen OPIR-Ground | 500.4 | 348.3 | 651.1 | +87% |
| 657111 | Resilient Ground Architecture (RGA) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 110.3 | new start |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 657106 — Next-Gen OPIR-Ground

The program office is developing the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) Ground (Project 657106) for Guardians across Missile Warning and Missile Tracking (MW/MT) mission area. As a result, the Service will advance space-based technology associated with Golden Dome, and deter, neutralize, defeat and/or destroy counterspace threats and defend the homeland. Next-Gen OPIR Ground, also known as Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE), consists of a modern Command and Control (C2) capability, modernization of Mission Data Processing (MDP) to implement an open framework and develop mission applications, required development and upgrades to Relay Ground Stations (RGS), to provide a modern survivable and endurable architecture to meet USSF current and future space domain needs. FORGE will provide the flexibility and scalability to integrate new satellites, sensors and capabilities more rapidly and efficiently in order to meet evolving threats and warfighter needs. The Next-Gen OPIR Ground efforts enable cyber enhancements for both space and ground systems. FORGE C2 will introduce infrastructure and common platform services, mission unique software such as Telemetry, Tracking, and Commanding (TT&C), and mission management to support initial Next-Gen OPIR Space satellite launches without driving risk into the FORGE development schedule. The program has established a risk reduction ground capability, Next-Gen OPIR Interim Operations (NIO), based on a limited Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Block 20 solution. The FORGE program was designated as a Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) on 30 July 2025. The total cost of the FORGE SWP effort is 2,930.62 million. The RGS development and fielding is not contained in the SWP effort, as it consists of stand-alone Acquisition Category (ACAT). The FORGE SWP is fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Next-Gen OPIR Ground system capability.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** Northrop Grumman (47.9, 7.4%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORGE Command and Control (FC2) | 57.7 | 43.3 | 97.7 |
| Mission Data Processing (MDP) | 203.7 | 173.7 | 336.5 |
| Next-Gen Transition | 176.5 | 80.0 | 104.9 |
| Relay Ground Station - Asia (RGS-A) | 54.7 | 51.3 | 47.9 |
| Relay Ground Stations (RGSs) | 7.8 | 0.0 | 64.1 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 657111 — Resilient Ground Architecture (RGA)

Resilient Ground Architecture establishes a proliferated missile warning processing & data distribution ground architecture that holistically creates a robust day-today operation with predictable and graceful degradation to a Survivable & Endurable mission—providing increased resilience through all phases of conflict and threat spectrum. Fielding RGA capabilities meets/aligns with JROC-M 059-23, PPD-35/40, and CJCSI 3296.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resilient Ground Architecture (RGA) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 110.3 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 6.3% | 47.9 |
| Government labs & warfare centers | 2.4% | 18.6 |
| Other / unspecified | 91% | 694.9 |

**Top named industry performers:** Northrop Grumman ($47.9M, 6.3%).

> R-3 exhibit contract funding, not USAspending obligations.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

The program office is developing the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) Ground (Project 657106) for Guardians across Missile Warning and Missile Tracking (MW/MT) mission area. As a result, the Service will advance space-based technology associated with Golden Dome, and deter, neutralize, defeat and/or destroy counterspace threats and defend the homeland.

The Next-Gen Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Ground program is executing an acquisition strategy using a Software Acquisition Pathway in the Execution Phase approved via Acquisition Decision Memorandum on 30 Jul 25. To support this acquisition strategy, the program will follow an agile approach to develop capabilities and a robust DevSecOps (Development/Security/Operations) solution to deliver the capabilities. The Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) program is executing a software acquisition approach founded primarily on software and infrastructure reuse, partnerships with other programs, limited scope, use of existing contracts where necessary, and maximizing competition and flexibility in contracting.

## Related program elements

- [1206442SF — Next Generation OPIR](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206442SF) (Space Force)
- [1206443SF — Next-Gen OPIR Space GEO](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206443SF) (Space Force)
- [0603597N — (u)automated TEST AND Re-test (ATRT)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603597N) (Navy)
- [0604366N — Standard Missile Improvements](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604366N) (Navy)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 1206440SF (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="1206440SF")`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*