The U.S. Space Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a potential $1.8 billion contract modification to build and launch the first two polar space vehicles under the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared program.
The Department of Defense said Wednesday the company will also transition the Next-Gen OPIR Polar Space Vehicles 1 and 2 to operations under the program’s second phase.
Work will occur in Redondo Beach, California, through April 11, 2031.
Space Systems Command is obligating $102 million in research and development funds for fiscal 2024.
The latest award brings the contract’s total cumulative face value to approximately $4.2 billion.
In 2020, the defense contractor was awarded a $2.4 billion contract modification to design and develop the first two polar space vehicles, provide flight hardware and perform risk reduction work under the Next-Gen OPIR program.
In 2018, the company also secured a $47 million contract to analyze system and payload requirements for the two missile warning satellites.
NextGen Polar
Northrop’s Next-Generation OPIR polar-orbiting satellites, also known as NextGen Polar or NGP, will cover the northern polar region, playing a key role in the country’s strategic missile warning efforts.
The NGP satellites will be equipped with modernized sensors and communications systems, enabling the military to transmit wideband OPIR data to the ground.
