Next Generation OPIR

Abstract

The Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) program will succeed the current Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) and will provide improved missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness, and technical intelligence collection capabilities that are more survivable against emerging adversary threats. The program will deliver satellites in a diverse set of orbits to meet mission coverage needs; a modular, extensible, and cyber-hardened ground system to operate and process mission data downlinked from on-orbit assets; an on-ramp to demonstrate novel infrared technologies; and an integration effort will identify, plan, manage and execute integration activities at the enterprise level. The program is comprised of five projects, summarized below: 1. Next-Gen OPIR Space Modernization Initiative (SMI) (Project 657009/Program Element 1206442SF): To better enable response to emerging global missile threats, SMI advances capabilities and reduces risk through three major thrust areas: Demonstrations/Prototypes, Technology Maturation, and Data Exploitation. Demonstrations mature technologies by delivering ground and on-orbit prototypes. Demonstrations advance OPIR capabilities for missile warning and tracking ensuring a low risk, smooth transition of advanced technology to future operational systems. Technology Maturation focuses investments on high pay-off critical components to reduce production risks and development costs. Technology Maturation focuses development on advanced IR sensing optics and electronics; resiliency hardware and software; and on-board processing algorithms and on-board computers. 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. SMI supports Next-Gen OPIR by maturing new technologies to enable detection of new and challenging missile threats. SMI funds engineering activities to reduce both production and future system costs through manufacturing and producibility enhancements, and technology insertion. SMI generally includes studies and risk reduction activities to evolve the current Program of Record (PoR) constellation and/or simultaneously mature breakthrough technologies to create a leap in capability for follow-on systems. 2. Next-Gen OPIR Ground (Project 657106/Program Element 1206440SF): 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. Identify shared/common platform, infrastructure, and data layer solutions to support open frameworks and architectures across the enterprise ground portfolio. 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 Commanding (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, Block 0 GEO (NGG) (Project 657120/Program Element 1206443SF): Joint Requirements Oversight Council Memorandum (JROCM) 130-17, dated 21 December 2017, directs the development of the next generation of strategically survivable space-based missile warning OPIR platforms in both GEO and Polar orbits. The Program Office is acquiring 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 Critical Design Review (CDR). Phase 2 was 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. The first GEO satellite is required no later than FY 2025. 4. Next-Gen OPIR Space, Block 0 Polar (NGP) (Project 657121/Program Element 1206444SF): 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 May 2020, encompasses design and development, critical path flight hardware procurement, and risk reduction efforts leading to a System CDR. Phase 2 will be awarded prior to System CDR for the manufacturing, assembly, integration and test, and early on orbit test, through operational acceptance of NGP satellites 1 and 2. The first Polar satellite is required in FY 2028. 5. Integration (Project 657123/Program Element 1206442SF): The Next Generation OPIR Integration project includes the direct Enterprise Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) efforts associated with the Government's primary role in, and tasks necessary to accomplish, the critical lead system integration function with the Next Gen OPIR enterprise material segments (Next Gen GEO, Next Gen Polar, Next Gen Ground, and the Resilient Missile Warning/Missile Tracking architecture). The focus of the Integration project is on system-level integration requirements between segments such as Space to Ground. This differs from integration within each segment which refers to subsystem-level integration between subsystems such as a spacecraft bus to the mission payload. The Government Integrator directs the Next Gen OPIR current enterprise architecture and system definition, controls and validates interfaces, ensures compatibility of Next Gen systems, and develops/manages plans for execution and fielding of the Next Gen OPIR Enterprise. Further, the Integrator executes unique Model Based System Engineering and integration requirements of each segment by providing modeling, simulation, and technical analyses of Government-directed enterprise level trades among the Next Gen OPIR segments. These trades lead to definition, management, maintenance, and evolution of the Next Gen OPIR Enterprise requirements and interface technical documents to ensure the integrity of the enterprise technical baseline. Space acquisition must respond with speed and agility to emerging adversary threats. Space Systems Command (SSC) has transformed 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, SSC will strategically execute experimentation, prototyping, risk reduction, and other efforts to develop new or repurpose existing capabilities. The total cost of the FORGE Rapid Prototyping Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is 2,849.44 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. FORGE Rapid Prototyping is not fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program. The Department of the Air Force is assessing all options to address the funding shortfalls for MTA programs including additional funding in a future budget request, performance trades based on technical maturity, or transition to alternative pathways. The FORGE RP MTA effort only represents a portion of the entire FORGE program. The total cost of the Next Gen OPIR Space (GEO and Polar) Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is 8,074.5 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. Next Gen OPIR is not fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program. The Department of the Air Force is assessing all options to address the funding shortfalls for MTA programs including additional funding in a future budget request, performance trades based on technical maturity, or transition to alternative pathways. The NG OPIR Space (GEO and Polar) effort only represents a portion of the entire GEO and Polar programs. 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 1206389SF. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because the majority of Projects under PE 1206442SF have been declared Section 804 Rapid Prototype efforts 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, 2023
• Source ID: 1206442SF_5_3620F_PB_2023
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2023: The FY 2022 President's Budget submittal did not reflect FY 2023 through FY 2026 funding. Therefore, an explanation of the change between the two budget positions for FY 2023 cannot be made in a relevant manner.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• C4I
• Cyber
• Engineered Resilient Systems
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Artificial Satellites
• Ballistic Missiles
• Command And Control
• Digital Engineering
• Earth Orbits
• Elliptical Orbits
• Geosynchronous Satellites
• Manufacturing
• Model Based Systems Engineering
• Procurement
• Product Development
• Reconnaissance Satellites
• Satellite Buses
• Software Prototyping
• Space Systems
• Spacecraft
• Systems Engineering

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.

Technology Areas

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