BOULDER, Colo. – Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Space Force (USSF) to provide relay ground stations to support the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) program. Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, on behalf of the Space Systems Command, selected Northrop Grumman to participate under the $244 million IDIQ contract. 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 modular and flexible design, building on the success of its RGS-A program, currently under development in Guam.
The ground stations will support multiple satellite constellations, adapting to changes in bandwidth and resiliency requirements.
Calvin Pennamon, director, operational exploitation systems, Northrop Grumman said, “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.”
