Next Generation OPIR

Abstract

In FY 2021, PE 1206442F, Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) efforts were transferred to Appropriation 3620, Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E), Space Force, PE 1206442SF, Next-Gen OPIR from Appropriation 3600, Budget Activity 05 due to the creation of a new Appropriation for Space Force. 1. Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Space Modernization Initiative (SMI) (Project 657009): SMI supports Next-Gen OPIR by assessing and demonstrating new technologies to better enable detection of emerging global missile threats and awareness of material obsolescence. Additionally, SMI supports space and ground design efforts focused on delivering affordable capabilities, maximizing the effectiveness of existing system data products. SMI funds engineering activities to reduce both production and future system costs through manufacturing improvements, 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 SBIRS Program of Record (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 products, battlespace awareness processing, and data dissemination tools to support warfighters and other data users. 2. Next-Gen OPIR Ground (Project 657106): Next-Gen OPIR Ground, also known as Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE), consists of Command and Control (C2) migration to the Space Force’s Enterprise Ground Services (EGS), modernization of Mission Data Processing (MDP) to implement an open framework, and required development and/or upgrades to Relay Ground Stations (RGS) to meet United States Space Command guidance on the current and future space domain demands. FORGE and EGS efforts combined 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. EGS will introduce common ground services such as Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C); mission management; and automation. To support initial Next-Gen OPIR Space satellite launches without driving risks into the FORGE development schedule, the program will establish a risk reduction ground Next-Gen OPIR Interim Operations (NIO) capability based on a limited Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Block 20 solution that can be utilized if FORGE is delayed. 3. Next-Gen OPIR Space: 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 is a transition from the legacy SBIRS to a program that 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 Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) and Polar satellites in sufficient number to meet global warning coverage with no exploitable holes (5 GEO + 2 Polar) plus required backup for attrition or reconstitution reserves. The Space 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 FY 2025 and the first Polar satellite is required in FY 2027. All five Block 0 satellites need to be on orbit by FY 2029. Follow-on blocks will be addressed in future acquisition strategies. Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 0 GEO (GEO) (NGG) (Project 657120): The Program Office intends to acquire the NGG capability in two contract actions. Phase 1, awarded in August 2018, encompasses requirements analysis, design/development, critical path flight hardware procurement, and risk reduction efforts leading to a System CDR. Phase 2 will be awarded in FY 2021 for the manufacturing, assembly, system integration and test, launch, and early on-orbit test, through operational acceptance of NGG satellites 1-3. 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, encompasses system and payload requirements analysis and risk reduction efforts leading to a System Requirements Review. Phase 1 will include design and development, critical path flight hardware procurement, and risk reduction efforts leading to a System CDR. Phase 2 will be awarded for the manufacturing, assembly, integration and test, and early on-orbit test, through operational acceptance of NGP satellites 1 and 2. Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 1 (Project 657122): The Space Force plans to acquire subsequent blocks in a competitive environment. The Block 1 satellites will be based on the Missile Warning and Missile Defense OPIR Capability Development Document (CDD), validated by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) in May 2019. The Next Gen OPIR Block 1 program acquisition will begin in FY 2023 in time to deliver its first satellite by FY 2030. 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-Gen OPIR weapon system capabilities. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. The majority of Projects under PE 1206442SF have been declared Section 804 Rapid Prototype efforts. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because the majority of Projects are 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, 2021
• Source ID: 1206442SF_5_3620F_PB_2021
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2021: +$2318.864M; funds starting in FY 2021 were transferred from RDT&E, Air Force to RDT&E, Space Force; total includes a $329.344M increase to cover unfunded FY 2020 scope for work on GEO Block 0.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Engineered Resilient Systems
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Artificial Satellites
• Ballistic Missiles
• Command And Control
• Data Processing
• Earth Orbits
• Elliptical Orbits
• Geosynchronous Satellites
• Ground Stations
• Manufacturing
• National Security
• Procurement
• Reconnaissance Satellites
• Space Force
• Spacecraft
• Systems Engineering
• Technical Intelligence
• Test Beds

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.

Technology Areas

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