Latest news with #Next-GenerationOverheadPersistentInfrared
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Space Force's first next-gen missile warning launch pushed to 2026
Despite expectations for an on-time satellite delivery, the Space Force has opted to delay the launch of its first Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared spacecraft until at least next spring due to high demand for launch services. The satellite is one of two Lockheed Martin-built spacecraft designed to provide early missile-warning capabilities from geosynchronous Earth orbit as part of the Next-Gen OPIR GEO program. According to a new report from the Government Accountability Office, the first satellite will now stay on the ground until at least March of 2026 'due to a crowded 2025 launch manifest.' GAO has long warned that the program's schedule was likely too ambitious due to the technology requirements for its mission payload, and the agency predicted its launch would likely be delayed by at least one year. Those projections could prove true, but perhaps for more nuanced reasons. RTX, the program's payload supplier, faced development challenges that delayed its delivery by 13 months to August 2024. While that slowdown consumed most of the program's margin, the satellite has since progressed well through its testing milestones. The service now anticipates the spacecraft will be delivered by September. That means it could have flown this year had there been room in the launch manifest. GAO notes in its report, released today, that despite those successes — and because of the lack of schedule margin — the program still risks further delay if any issues arise during final integration. 'The program has no buffer in its schedule to first launch; any payload and space vehicle integration delays will likely result in launch delays and program cost increases,' the watchdog agency said. Next-Gen OPIR is part of a larger multi-orbit strategy to provide missile-warning and tracking capabilities from space. Along with the two GEO satellites, the Space Force has contracted with Northrop Grumman to build two polar-orbiting spacecraft as part of Next-Gen-OPIR. These four satellites will eventually replace the existing Space-Based Infrared System. The two GEO spacecraft are expected to cost $9.5 billion, and the polar satellites have a total cost estimate of $5.9 billion. Separately, the Space Development Agency is leading an effort to develop a missile-tracking constellation in low Earth orbit made up of hundreds of small satellites. And the Space Force's primary acquisition arm, Space Systems Command, is spearheading a medium Earth orbit constellation. GAO's report evaluated progress on the two Next-Gen OPIR Polar spacecraft, finding the program is on track for delivery and launch in 2028 and is meeting its schedule for various program reviews. The report notes that the polar satellites are integrating a modified version of the same mission payload as the GEO spacecraft, which could introduce schedule risk when the program reaches the integration phase. The report notes that the program approved a cybersecurity strategy last year and plans to run a series of tests this year and a full system assessment in 2027.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US awards $244M to Northrop for most advanced global missile tracking stations yet
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The US Space Force (USSF) has awarded Northrop Grumman a $244 million contract to develop advanced relay ground stations in the United States and the United Kingdom. These installations will support the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) program, a key element of America's evolving missile warning and tracking infrastructure. The new stations are expected to improve global coverage and resilience for satellites designed to detect missile launches and potential threats, while ensuring compatibility with legacy systems and newer constellations. Scalable ground systems for evolving threats Northrop Grumman will deploy a flexible, modular ground station design that builds upon the company's experience with the Relay Ground Station-Asia (RGS-A), currently under development in Guam. The new stations will provide adaptable infrastructure to accommodate changes in satellite bandwidth and operational demands. '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,' said Calvin Pennamon, director of operational exploitation systems at Northrop Grumman, in an official press release. '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.' The Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, acting on behalf of the Space Systems Command, selected Northrop Grumman for the multiple-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Strengthening the FORGE modernization framework The ground stations are a critical part of the USSF's Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) system—an expansive effort to upgrade and integrate US missile warning capabilities. FORGE aims to establish a government-owned ground network that links current and future missile detection satellites through modernized command and control operations. Complementing Northrop's contract, the Space Systems Command recently announced a $259 million award to SciTec, a New Jersey-based software developer, to further FORGE's integrated enterprise buildout. The company will develop a ground system supporting FORGE and non-FORGE assets, enhancing continuity across legacy SBIRS and Next-Gen OPIR data pipelines. SciTec's prior involvement includes a $272 million contract in 2022 for data processing tools, $45.8 million in 2023 for SBIRS sensor processing applications, and $5 million in 2021 for prototype development. Much of SciTec's specialized software is engineered at its Boulder, Colorado, facility. S2E2 and ATLAS systems deepen space-based defenses As part of the broader modernization push, the USSF also activated the Survivable Endurable Evolution (S2E2) ground system earlier this month. Designed to replace the aging 1960s-era Mobile Ground System, S2E2 processes infrared data and integrates a nuclear detonation detection system. Additionally, L3Harris secured a contract in March to upgrade the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS), which monitors anti-satellite activity and threats in orbit. Global coverage through distributed relay networks The new US- and UK-based stations complement the ongoing construction of RGS-A in Guam, reinforcing the USSF's goal of achieving global, persistent missile warning capabilities. These relay hubs allow early-warning signals from infrared satellites to reach command networks and deployed forces more reliably. Next-Gen OPIR remains a cornerstone of the US defense architecture, offering critical situational awareness and real-time missile launch detection to protect national and allied interests.
Forbes
21-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Trade LMT Stock Ahead Of Earnings?
LAKENHEATH, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: A US Air Force fifth generation F-35A Lightning II stealth aircraft ... More comes in to land as protesters stage a peaceful demonstration outside RAF Lakenheath on April 17, 2025 in Lakenheath, England. (Photo by) Lockheed Martin is scheduled to release its quarterly earnings on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The defense contractor currently holds a market capitalization of $113 billion and has posted $71 billion in revenue over the past twelve months. The company continues to be profitable, with $7.0 billion in operating income and $5.3 billion in net income. Wall Street analysts anticipate earnings of $6.30 per share on revenue of $17.8 billion, compared to $6.33 per share on $17.2 billion in revenue during the same quarter last year. While most business segments are expected to contribute to revenue growth, the Space division may experience a decline due to reduced volume in the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared program. For event-driven investors, historical trends can offer useful insights. Traders may choose to position themselves ahead of the report based on past trends or respond after the release by evaluating correlations between short-term and medium-term performance. Looking at LMT's five-year trend, the stock posted negative one-day returns 60% of the time, with a median single-day drop of 3.2% and a maximum one-day decline of 11.8%. If you're aiming for upside potential with less volatility than individual stocks, the Trefis High-Quality portfolio offers an alternative — outperforming the S&P 500 with returns above 91% since inception. See earnings reaction history of all stocks Key insights on one-day (1D) post-earnings returns: Further data on 5-Day (5D) and 21-Day (21D) post-earnings returns are detailed in the table below. LMT observed 1D, 5D, and 21D returns post earnings A potentially less risky approach (provided correlations are strong) is to examine relationships between short-term and medium-term returns following earnings and act accordingly. For instance, if 1D and 5D have the highest correlation, traders could go 'long' for the 5-day period after a positive 1D return. Below is correlation data based on both five-year and three-year performance. Note that 1D_5D indicates the correlation between 1D and 5D post-earnings returns. LMT Correlation Between 1D, 5D and 21D Historical Returns Discover more about the Trefis RV strategy, which has outperformed a combined all-cap benchmark (comprising the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000), generating strong investor returns. Alternatively, if you prefer less volatility than owning a single stock like Lockheed Martin, check out the High Quality portfolio, which has surpassed the S&P with over 91% cumulative returns since inception. Invest with Trefis Market Beating Portfolios | Rules-Based Wealth
