# Project 657106 — Next-Gen OPIR-Ground

**Program element:** 1206440SF — Next-Gen OPIR -- Ground  
**Project:** 657106  
**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/657106  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF

## Summary

Project 657106 — Next-Gen OPIR-Ground requests $651.1M in FY2027, 86% of the $761.4M requested for program element 1206440SF, up 87% on FY2026. 5 R-2A activities decompose the request, 1 restarted this cycle. Northrop Grumman is the largest named R-3 performer at $47.9M, 7.4% of the project's FY2027 R-3 total.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 500.4 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 348.3 |
| FY2027 | Request | 651.1 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 490.7 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 375.6 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 225.7 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 90.0 |

> Estimate types are not summed. This project is one leaf of PE 1206440SF; the PE total is the sum of its projects, never added to them.

## What project 657106 buys

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.

**R-3 lines of work:** Product Development; Management Services.

## Named R-3 performers

| Performer | $M | Share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total |
|---|---|---|
| Northrop Grumman | 47.9 | 7.4% |

> Budget-justification contract funding, not obligations. Shares need not reach 100% — unnamed and government work is in the denominator.

## Activities (R-2A) — 5

| Activity | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 | Move | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mission Data Processing (MDP) | 203.7 | 173.7 | 336.5 | +94% | [a1](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF/657106/a1) |
| Next-Gen Transition | 176.5 | 80.0 | 104.9 | +31% | [a2](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF/657106/a2) |
| FORGE Command and Control (FC2) | 57.7 | 43.3 | 97.7 | +126% | [a0](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF/657106/a0) |
| Relay Ground Stations (RGSs) | 7.8 | 0.0 | 64.1 | restart | [a4](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF/657106/a4) |
| Relay Ground Station - Asia (RGS-A) | 54.7 | 51.3 | 47.9 | −6% | [a3](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF/657106/a3) |

> Activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. In the request year they partition this project exactly; in earlier years they can under-cover it.

### Mission Data Processing (MDP)

Complete integration of FORGE Applications onto the FORGE Framework for SBIRS ITW/AA Strategic Missile Warning data processing. Complete final system level integration and testing of mission data processing thrust area (EOS, MDPAP, and SSP) for SBIRS and NGG transition to operations on FORGE. Further develop the DevSecOps pipeline to be…

Full year-by-year narrative: https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF/657106/a1

### Next-Gen Transition

Integrate the mission unique software needed for C2, and sensor specific processing for NGG. Continue integration of multiple mission data processing applications onto the FORGE framework to support NGG-1 operations, NGG-2 launch.

Full year-by-year narrative: https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF/657106/a2

### FORGE Command and Control (FC2)

Finalize work on the FORGE Command and Control (FC2) prototype to integrate Mission Management, Ground Resource Control Management, and user interface software. Develop and integrate Next Generation GEO (NGG) and legacy SBIRS Mission Unique Software (MUS) and Mission Unique Applications (MUA) in FY 2027.

Full year-by-year narrative: https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF/657106/a0

### Relay Ground Stations (RGSs) — RESTART

Complete RGS-S and RGS-UK antenna procurement and communication equipment testing. Ship antennas, communication and cryptological equipment to Schriever SFB and RAF Croughton. Finish RGS-S and RGS-UK design for support facilities and infrastructure construction of communication shelters and ring walls.

Full year-by-year narrative: https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF/657106/a4

### Relay Ground Station - Asia (RGS-A)

Complete Integration of communication and cryptological equipment at Camp Blaz, Guam. Deliver and Integrate mission unique hardware for Next Generation Consolidated Relay Ground Station (CRGS) and complete integration testing. Complete of Facilities and Infrastructure build, completion of Antenna build and installation at RGS-A, and…

Full year-by-year narrative: https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF/657106/a3

## What is NOT on this page

Congressional marks, the R-2 mission description and acquisition strategy, the industry vs government split of the whole request, and related program elements are recorded at **program-element** grain — an NDAA mark lands on a PE, never on a project. They are at https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206440SF.

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-2A/R-3, PE 1206440SF project 657106 (PB PB2027).
- **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.*