Next Generation OPIR

Abstract

The Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) RDT&E FY2020 budget justification exhibits describe the Next-Gen OPIR Space, Ground, and Space Modernization Initiative (SMI) programs. 1. Next-Gen OPIR Space Modernization Initiative (SMI) (Project 657009): SMI supports the SBIRS Program of Record (PoR) and Next-Gen OPIR by assessing future parts and material obsolescence, designing space and ground modifications focused on affordability and capability, and maximizing the effectiveness of existing system data products. SMI funds engineering activities to reduce both production and future system costs through manufacturing and producibility enhancements, and technology insertion. SMI will also mature potential technology upgrades at the component and system level for space and ground architecture enhancements. SMI includes studies and risk reduction activities to evolve the current PoR constellation, reduce production timelines, and reduce recurring production costs. SMI activities are balanced and phased to enable an expanded trade space and improve the competitive environment. The three major thrust areas under SMI are Demonstrations, Technology Maturation and Data Exploitation. The Demonstrations mature and demonstrate technologies with ground and on-orbit prototypes. Demonstrations advance system performance and algorithms for tactical and strategic applications to enhance PoR capabilities. Finally, demonstrations reduce program risks for future OPIR systems, whether new systems or evolutions of the current PoR. Technology Maturation assesses and addresses needs to support resiliency of PoR assets and future architectures that must respond to an evolving threat environment. Data Exploitation enables access to OPIR data sources to expand technical intelligence and battlespace awareness processing and data dissemination tools to support warfighters and other data users. Reduce SMI saved $25.000M in FY 2020. Reduce SMI identified excess need in engineering efforts for space modernization in FY 2020. Funding decreases do not affect technology maturation for insertion into Next-Gen OPIR Block 1. Funding contributes to the acceleration of the Next-Gen OPIR initial launch capability. 2. Next-Gen OPIR Ground (Project 657106): Next-Gen OPIR Ground, also known as Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE), will consist of Command and Control (C2) migration to Air Force Space Command's Enterprise Ground Services (EGS), modernization of Mission Data Processing (MDP), and required development/upgrades to Relay Ground Stations (RGS) to meet AFSPC guidance on the current and future space domain demands. The FORGE effort will implement an open framework for MDP and migration of C2 satellite operations to integrate with EGS. FORGE and EGS efforts will provide the flexibility and scalability to integrate new sensors and capabilities more efficiently in order to meet evolving warfighter needs. The Next-Gen OPIR ground also includes risk reduction efforts to enable cyber enhancements for the PoR and Next-Gen OPIR ground systems. EGS will introduce common ground services such as Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) and automation. To support initial Next-Gen OPIR Space satellite launches without driving undue risk into the FORGE development schedule, the program will establish a risk reduction ground capability Next-Gen OPIR Interim Operations (NIO) option based on a limited Block 20 solution that can be exercised. 3. Next-Gen OPIR Space: Is a transition from the legacy Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program. Next-Gen OPIR implements the direction of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council Memorandum (JROCM) 130-17, dated 21 December 2017, by developing the next generation of strategically survivable space-based missile warning OPIR platforms in both GEO and Polar orbits. This program will deliver improved core missile warning capabilities that are more survivable against emerging threats. The full Next-Gen OPIR constellation will consist of a minimum of GEO and Polar satellites in sufficient number to meet global warning coverage with no exploitable holes (5 GEO + 2 Polar) plus required backup and attrition and reconstitution reserve. The Air Force intends to acquire Next-Gen systems in block procurements. The Block 0 acquisition strategy consists of three GEO and two Polar satellites. The first GEO satellite is required no later than FY2025 and the first Polar satellite is required in FY2027. All five Block 0 satellites need to be on orbit by FY2029. Follow-on blocks will be addressed in future acquisition strategies. Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 0 Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO)(NGG) (Project 657120): The Program Office intends to acquire the NGG capability in two contract actions. Phase 1 was awarded in August 2018 and encompasses requirements analysis, design/development, critical path flight hardware procurement, and risk reduction efforts leading to a System Critical Design Review (CDR). Phase 2 will be awarded for the manufacturing, assembly, system integration and test, launch and early on-orbit test through the delivery of NGGs 1-3 for operational acceptance of each space vehicle. Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 0 Polar (NGP) (Project 657121): The Program Office intends to acquire the NGP capability in three contract actions. Phase 0 awarded in June 2018, encompassing system and payload requirements analysis and risk reduction efforts leading to a System Requirements Review. Phase 1 will be awarded for design and development, critical path flight hardware procurement, and risk reduction efforts leading to a System Critical Design Review. Phase 2 will be awarded for the manufacturing, assembly, integration and test, and delivery of NGP satellites 1&2. Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 1 (Project 657122): The Air Force plans to acquire subsequent blocks in a competitive environment. The Block 1 satellites will be based on the Enterprise OPIR Capability Development Document (CDD), validated by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC). The Next Gen OPIR Block 1 program acquisition will begin in FY2023 in time to deliver its first satellite by FY2030. Space acquisition must respond with speed and agility to emerging adversary threats. Space & Missile Systems Center (SMC) is transforming the organization and implementation of space acquisition to an enterprise approach, maximizing innovation and resiliency, leveraging international, commercial, and mission partnerships, and managing program/project priorities according to an integrated unclassified/classified enterprise space architecture. Expanding the appropriate acquisition authorities and contract mechanisms to deliver capability sooner, SMC will strategically execute experimentation, prototyping, risk reduction, and other efforts to develop new or repurpose capabilities. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Next-Generation OPIR weapon system capabilities. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392F and 1206398F. As directed in the FY 2018 NDAA, Sec 825, amendment to PL 114-92 FY 2016 NDAA, Sec 828 Penalty for Cost Overruns, the FY 2018 Air Force penalty total is $14.373M. The calculated percentage reduction to each research, development, test and evaluation and procurement account will be allocated proportionally from all programs, projects, or activities under such account. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2020
• Source ID: 1206442F_5_3600_PB_2020
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2018: $173.584M transferred from PE 1206441F and realigned into SMI; funds reprogrammed from PE 1203915F to increase transparency; $73.136M transferred into Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 0 GEO; $9.284M transferred into Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 0 Polar. In Sept 2018, Congress approved an above threshold reprogramming to add $112.475M into Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 0 GEO to support launch timeline acceleration. FY 2020: -$25.000M from SMI to support acceleration of Next-Gen OPIR; +311.324M to support launch timeline acceleration for Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 0 GEO; +$51.800M to Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 0 GEO to reduce schedule risk to meet the initial launch capability date; +37.404M for Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 0 Polar to support launch timeline acceleration; +$83.300M to accelerate ground development to support launch timelines.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Cyber
• Engineered Resilient Systems
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Artificial Satellites
• Ballistic Missiles
• Command And Control
• Data Processing
• Elliptical Orbits
• Geosynchronous Satellites
• Manufacturing
• Procurement
• Reconnaissance Satellites
• Situational Awareness
• Spacecraft
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Test Beds
• Test Equipment

Readers

• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Missile Defense Systems.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space
• Space - Satellites