Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 0 Polar

The program office is developing the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) Polar (Project 657121) for Guardians across Missile Warning and Missile Tracking (MW/MT) mission area. As a result, the Service will deter, neutralize, defeat, and/or destroy counterspace threats and defend the homeland while providing resilient infrastructure, and equipment. Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Nex-Gen OPIR) Space, Block 0 Polar (Project 657121): The primary mission is to provide initial missile warning of a ballistic missile attack on the US, its deployed forces, and its allies. Next-Gen OPIR Space enhances detection and improves reporting of intercontinental ballistic missile launches, submarine launched ballistic missile launches, and tactical ballistic missile launches. Development consists of the Next-Gen OPIR Polar (NGP) missile warning satellites with new payloads in a highly resilient bus, providing real-time persistent global infrared coverage to meet validated Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) requirements on current and future space domain demands. The program office is acquiring the NGP capability through three contract phases. Phase 0, awarded in June 2018, encompassed system requirements analysis and risk reduction efforts, which led to a March 2020 System Requirements Review (SRR). Phase 1, awarded in May 2020, encompasses engineering design, unit hardware procurement, component and subsystem qualification and design, critical path flight hardware procurement, and risk reduction efforts, and culminated in a System Critical Design Review (CDR) in August 2024. Phase 2 was awarded in October 2024, encompassing manufacture, assembly, integration, test and launch of two satellites. This program falls within the Missile Warning and Missile Tracking (MW/MT) mission area which provides the multi-orbit space and ground architecture required to detect and track missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles worldwide.