The U.S. Space Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a $1.8 billion contract extension to begin production of two advanced early warning satellites, part of the military’s Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) program.

These satellites are designed to detect missile threats, particularly those emerging from the Northern Hemisphere, where potential threats to the U.S. are most likely to originate.

This latest contract modification, announced on October 23, brings Northrop Grumman’s total contract value for the project to $4.1 billion. The original $2.3 billion contract was awarded in 2020 for the design and development of the two satellites.

With this extension, the project enters a critical phase, shifting from design and development to the production, integration, and testing of the satellites and their associated ground systems.

The Next-Gen OPIR program is a defense initiative aimed at enhancing the U.S. military’s capability to detect and track missile threats from space.

It includes both geosynchronous satellites developed by Lockheed Martin and polar-orbiting satellites built by Northrop Grumman.

The two polar-orbiting satellites will be placed in highly elliptical orbits, providing a wider view of the Northern Hemisphere, a region crucial for monitoring potential missile threats due to its proximity and direct path to the U.S.

The satellites are equipped with advanced infrared sensors designed to detect missile launches, which will then trigger an immediate data relay to ground-based stations for rapid analysis and response.

The first of these satellites is expected to launch in 2028, marking a significant milestone in the Next-Gen OPIR program.

The contract extension follows the successful completion of design reviews for both the satellite systems and their ground infrastructure. With a total estimated cost of $14 billion, the Next-Gen OPIR program represents one of the most significant satellite procurement efforts in the Space Force’s history.

While there has been a general shift in the industry towards smaller, more cost-effective satellites, the military continues to prioritize large, high-altitude systems that offer persistent surveillance capabilities—systems deemed essential for round-the-clock missile threat monitoring.