Northrop Grumman, a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, has been awarded a multiple-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract by the U.S. Space Force (USSF) to provide advanced relay ground stations in the U.S. and U.K. to support the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) program. This modernization initiative aligns with the USSF’s mission to revolutionize U.S. defense systems and follows the initial Relay Ground Station-Asia (RGS-A) award Northrop Grumman received in 2022.

• These ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning and tracking OPIR satellites, and additional flexibility for operational capability.
• Northrop Grumman is using its proven modular and flexible design and building on the success of its RGS-A program currently under development in Guam.
• The ground stations will support multiple satellite constellations, adapting seamlessly to changes in bandwidth and resiliency requirements.

Calvin Pennamon, director, operational exploitation systems, Northrop Grumman: “We are developing advanced relay ground stations that are scalable and upgradeable, and prioritize high performance, reliability and mission flexibility for the Next-Gen OPIR program. Our ground systems will enhance communications between Space System Command’s legacy and future Space Based Infrared Systems, providing access to multiple constellations enabling warfighters to maintain a decisive edge against enemy threats.”

Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, on behalf of the Space Systems Command, selected Northrop Grumman to participate under the $244 million IDIQ contract. The development of these advanced relay ground stations is a pivotal component of the U.S. Space Force’s endeavor to revamp existing missile-warning and missile-defense systems through the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution system. Next-Gen OPIR is the cornerstone of the U.S. integrated missile warning, tracking, and defense mission architecture, providing persistent battlespace awareness and time-critical missile warning for our nation and allies.

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