Missile-warning satellite "Next-Gen OPIR" development: ~$7.44B — the Air Force's award to Lockheed Martin, the "eyes" of early warning (USAspending)
Per USAspending, the U.S. Air Force awarded Phase 1 development of geosynchronous missile-warning satellites "Next Generation OPIR (Overhead Persistent Infrared)," space vehicles 1-3, to Lockheed Martin. The value is about $7.44 billion ($7,437,743,475), a definitive contract running August 2018–July 2029. Satellites that detect ballistic-missile launches early via infrared — the "eyes" of missile defense.
Contract key facts
- RecipientLockheed Martin
- Contract value$7,475,763,152 (≈$7.48B)
- BranchAir Force
- Awarding agencyDepartment of Defense
- Awarding sub-agencyDepartment of the Air Force
- Award typeDEFINITIVE CONTRACT
- Period of performance2018-08-14 〜 2029-07-31
- Contract ID (PIID)FA881018C0005
The amount cited in the write-up ($7,437,743,475) is the figure at the time of writing. After later modifications the record now shows $7,475,763,152 (the details above are current).
Contract scope (original)
NEXT GENERATION OVERHEAD PERSISTENT INFRARED GEOSYNCHRONOUS EARTH ORBIT SPACE VEHICLE 1-3 PHASE 1
Key points
- The Air Force awarded Phase 1 development of Next-Gen OPIR missile-warning satellites (GEO space vehicles 1-3) to Lockheed Martin. Cumulative ~$7.44B ($7,437,743,475).
- Definitive contract, performance August 14, 2018 – July 31, 2029.
- OPIR catches the infrared exhaust plume of a ballistic-missile launch to give early warning.
- Against interceptors (PAC-3/THAAD/GMD), OPIR is the "eyes" that notice first — the premise of interception.
- Space becoming central to security — the detection that interception depends on.
- Missile defence works when warning, command and control, and intercept mesh, and OPIR satellites carry the starting point.
1Early warning as the first move
In ballistic-missile defense, the sooner you notice "it's coming," the better. Providing that first alert is the job of missile-warning satellites in space. "OPIR (Overhead Persistent Infrared)" continuously watches the ground in infrared and catches the hot exhaust plume at the moment of a missile launch, issuing an early warning.
This contract covers the "Next Generation OPIR" — development of the latest generation of those satellites (geosynchronous space vehicles 1-3).
2Dividing roles with interceptors
If the PAC-3, THAAD, and GMD covered separately on this site are systems that "intercept," OPIR is the system that "notices first" — the "eyes" that are the premise of interception. However fine an interceptor, it cannot arrive in time without early detection. Missile defense functions only when warning (detection), interception, and command-and-control mesh, and OPIR anchors the starting point. It also symbolizes how space (the Space Force domain) is becoming central to security.
3What the public record covers
The description (USAspending) goes as far as "Next-Gen OPIR space vehicles 1-3, Phase 1" and does not detail performance specs (this site does not fill in what the description omits). A cumulative ~$7.44B shows how vast the investment is in the satellites that serve as the "eyes" of missile defense.
4Notice, decide, intercept
Missile defence does not rest on the performance of interceptors alone. However capable the interceptor, it cannot arrive in time if the launch is not detected early. What this contract carries is that first stage.
- 1Warning (detection)Satellites in orbit watch the ground continuously in infrared, catching the hot plume at the moment of launch
- 2Command and controlWhat was caught is passed on, and where to engage is decided
- 3InterceptEquipment such as PAC-3, THAAD and GMD actually brings it down
OPIR means overhead persistent infrared, and Next-Generation OPIR, the subject here, is development of its latest generation of satellites — geosynchronous space vehicles 1 to 3. Because the three stages only work in defence when they mesh, about $7.44 billion cumulative goes into the satellites carrying the starting point. It also stands for space becoming central to security.
Why it matters
A missile-warning satellite anchors the early detection that interception depends on — the starting point of missile defense. Because no interceptor arrives in time without timely detection, investment in "eyes" like OPIR shapes the effectiveness of the whole posture. Symbolizing space becoming central to security, it helps grasp how warning, interception, and command-and-control mesh. Useful to readers tracking security and the defense industry.
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Sources (primary)
This article is an independent organization based on the U.S. official spending data below. Verify the exact, latest details with the official source.
- USAspending (award details)
- Contract ID (PIID)：FA881018C0005