Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared / Next Gen OPIR

Service And Conflict Use

1. Aug 24, 2021

   Block 0 GEO CDR completed

   Space Systems Command said the Next Gen OPIR GEO program passed its Block 0 geosynchronous space vehicle critical design review and stayed on schedule for a 2025 first launch.

   Sources: United States Space Force Next Gen OPIR GEO Program completes Block 0 GEO Space Vehicle Critical Design Review

2. Nov 9, 2021

   System CDR completed

   SSC completed the Block 0 GEO system critical design review, confirming the space and ground design maturity for the program's launch planning.

   Sources: SSC Next-Gen OPIR Block 0 GEO Program completes System CDR

3. Aug 6, 2025

   First GEO satellite completed environmental testing

   Lockheed Martin reported that the first Next-Gen OPIR GEO satellite finished thermal vacuum and acoustic testing and moved into final systems integration testing.

   Sources: First Next-Gen GEO-Based Missile Warning Satellite Successfully Completes Environmental Testing, On Track for Delivery to Space Force

4. Apr 30, 2026

   Polar sensor delivery advanced

   Northrop Grumman said the Next Gen OPIR Polar program remained on track as it advanced the mission payload sensor subassembly for the polar orbit satellites.

   Sources: Northrop Grumman Boosts Missile Warning with Next Gen Polar Infrared Sensor Delivery

Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared / Next Gen OPIR Images

Related Weapon Systems

Support EquipmentSpace-Based Infrared System / SBIRSMissile-warning satellite constellationSpace-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) is the U.S. Space Force's long-running space-based missile-warning constellation. Lockheed Martin built the system as the prime contractor with Northrop Grumman infrared payloads, combining geosynchronous satellites, highly elliptical orbit payloads, and a consolidated ground segment to detect missile launches and support battlespace awareness.

Support EquipmentGlobal Positioning System III / GPS Block IIIMilitary navigation satellite familyGlobal Positioning System III / GPS Block III is the Lockheed Martin-built U.S. military navigation-satellite family that modernizes the GPS constellation with M-code, the L1C civil signal, improved accuracy, and stronger anti-jamming performance. It is the generation launched from 2018 onward before the GPS III Follow-On line, and it serves as a precision position, navigation, and timing space vehicle rather than a battlefield weapon in the catalog sense.

Support EquipmentTransport and Tracking LayerProliferated low-Earth-orbit satellite architectureTransport and Tracking Layer is the Space Development Agency's proliferated low-Earth-orbit satellite architecture for resilient military data transport, missile warning, and missile tracking. Lockheed Martin is one of the major contractors across the family, with Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites launching in 2025 and Tranche 2/3 Tracking Layer awards expanding the constellation.

Support EquipmentC2BMCBallistic missile defense command-and-control systemC2BMC is Lockheed Martin's U.S. missile-defense command-and-control architecture for the Missile Defense Agency. It links sensors, interceptors, and commanders into a layered ballistic-missile-defense network, with workstations fielded across U.S. defense commands and a continuing C2BMC-Next modernization effort.

Support EquipmentIRST21 Sensor SystemPassive long-wave infrared search-and-track sensor systemIRST21 Sensor System is Lockheed Martin's passive long-wave infrared search-and-track package for modern fighter aircraft. It detects and tracks airborne threats without emitting radar, appears in the F/A-18E/F's centerline fuel tank installation, and is also packaged in the modular Legion Pod for other fighter and non-fighter aircraft.

Support EquipmentiSpaceSpace situational awareness and command-and-control software suiteLockheed Martin iSpace is a U.S. space situational-awareness software suite for managing assets in orbit. Lockheed Martin says the system fuses optical, radar, infrared, and radio sensor data from government, commercial, and scientific networks to track objects, process space events, and support command-and-control and battle-management decisions for defense, international, commercial, and civil users. The German Space Agency selected iSpace for space situational awareness in 2021.

Sources