Next Generation OPIR GEO: Building America’s gateway to the future of space-based missile warning and tracking

America is advancing next-generation overhead persistent infrared capabilities to strengthen space-based missile warning and tracking for the Joint Force. Next Gen OPIR GEO is designed to provide timely warning and tracking information against evolving missile threats, supporting force protection, informed decision-making, and efforts to save lives. Building on the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) heritage, the program is designed to improve sensing, tracking, resiliency, and data processing in support of unified combat. 

Missile threats have evolved in speed, complexity, and maneuverability over the last decade. As these threats proliferate, our military requires resilient capabilities to support timely missile warning and tracking. Next Gen OPIR GEO builds on existing space-based missile warning capabilities to address those evolving requirements. 

Lockheed Martin is developing the system in partnership with the U.S. Space Force, subcontractors, and supply-chain partners. The effort combines scientific, engineering, systems-integration, and program-management expertise to support current and future missile warning and tracking needs.

A Bridge from Today to Tomorrow

The defense technology company is developing Next Gen OPIR GEO, building on the SBIRS foundation to advance space-based missile warning and tracking capabilities.  The system is designed to improve the detection, tracking and characterization of increasingly complex missile threats, including threats with challenging signatures, high speeds, and maneuvering flight profiles.

“For more than a decade, SBIRS has provided reliable space-based early missile warning capability,” said Jim Sprunck, OPIR portfolio director at Lockheed Martin. “Next Gen OPIR GEO builds on that strong foundation and brings enhanced capabilities intended to support advanced missile warning and tracking for our nation.”

Hypersonic glide vehicles can travel at high speeds and maneuver in flight, making them more challenging to detect and track.  Next Gen OPIR GEO is designed to operate in geosynchronous orbit and provide persistent missile warning and tracking coverage supporting timely awareness and decision-making. 

Improved tracking requires advanced sensors with enhanced sensitivity and persistent coverage to support detection and tracking of challenging targets. Mission testing has demonstrated significant improvements over SBIRS in approved performance areas. 

A Resilient Next-Generation Architecture

Next Gen OPIR GEO is being developed with modern infrared payloads designed to improve detection of launches and tracking of dim or maneuvering targets. The system also incorporates resiliency features intended to support mission continuity in contested space environments. 

The space element is integrated with a next-generation ground architecture designed to process larger amounts of sensor data and provide timely decision-making for warfighters.

“Our engineers have built advanced analysis and modeling tools that simulate every phase of the mission from launch through on-orbit detection,” Sprunk said. “We are leveraging decades of SBIRS experience and representative mission scenarios to inform development and integration. This work provides confidence that Next Gen OPIR GEO is positioned to meet and exceed established performance requirements, supporting enhanced missile warning and tracking operations.” 

Built on Lockheed Martin’s LM 2100 Combat Bus™, Next Gen OPIR GEO is designed to incorporate cyber-resilient systems, improved communications, resiliency features, enhanced spacecraft power, and improved propulsion and electronic subsystems. The system is designed to use onboard data processing to support mission continuity during communication disruptions.

The Unique Engineering Mindset

Lockheed Martin engineers and technical personnel support development of the Next Gen OPIR GEO program from early design through manufacturing and testing of the mission-ready satellite.

The team uses next generation digital-engineering methods to develop and integrate the U.S. Space Force’s next-generation missile warning and tracking capability. Engineering teams developed payload, ground systems, and spacecraft capability improvements, then validated these designs through early development demonstrations, and space-to-ground integration tests using digital simulations under representative mission conditions. 

“We’ve built a collaborative environment that extends far beyond Lockheed Martin’s walls,” said Theresa Ito, Next Generation OPIR GEO Principal Systems Engineer. “We are bringing together technical expertise across the program, the U.S. Space Force, subcontractors, and supply-chain partners to address complex development and integration challenges.”

Developing the Workforce Behind Next Gen OPIR GEO 

Next Gen OPIR GEO is more than a hardware upgrade; it brings together experienced SBIRS personnel and a new generation of engineers to develop next-generation missile warning and tracking capability for combined forces. 

“Many members of the team bring years of SBIRS experience, but since Next Gen OPIR GEO began, we’ve welcomed new engineers with fresh perspectives,” Ito said. “Their technical expertise and commitment complement the experience of the broader team and support the program’s mission.”

SBIRS will continue to provide established early missile warning capability for traditional ballistic-missile threats. Next Gen OPIR GEO will build on the SBIRS foundation, building the gateway to the future of space-based missile warning and tracking.