Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) 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. 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. These ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning and tracking OPIR satellites, and additional flexibility for operational capability. 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.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American multinational aerospace and defense company. With 97,000 employees and an annual revenue in excess of $40 billion, it is one of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers and military technology providers. Formed in 1994 through Northrop Corporation’s purchase of Grumman Aerospace, Northrop Grumman ranked as the third-largest defense contractor in the world. Northrop Grumman organized its business around four main sectors, each of which comprises two or more business areas: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems and Space Systems.
