Northrop Grumman has taken delivery of the prime sensor for the US Space Force’s Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next Gen OPIR) Polar initiative.
The $4.15-billion program places two satellites in the northern hemisphere’s high-orbit domain to fortify Washington’s space-based missile warning and tracking capability across the region.
The Mission Payload Sensor Subassembly is a critical OPIR component that will monitor faint heat signatures of ballistic and hypersonic threats.
Once completed, OPIR Polar systems will deploy alongside OPIR Geosynchronous Earth Orbit satellites that will be positioned separately in mid-latitude zones.
Together, they will replace the legacy Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) constellation, which was launched in the early 2000s for the same purposes.
“The on-time delivery of this sensor isn’t just a checkpoint — it reinforces confidence in the program and advances our commitment to the Next Gen OPIR Missile Warning mission,” said James Flynn, program manager of Next Gen OPIR Polar at Northrop Grumman.
“Our technology is designed to perform in the most demanding no-fail missions, and those who rely on it trust it to deliver every time. We’re keeping the program on track — on schedule, within budget and meeting every critical goal — because national security demands nothing less.”
