Raytheon ha entregado el segundo Sistema Sensor de Seguimiento de Misiles a Lockheed Martin para el programa Next-Gen OPIR de la Fuerza Espacial de EE.UU. Estos sensores de alta tecnolog\u00eda est\u00e1n dise\u00f1ados para detectar firmas de calor de lanzamientos de misiles, incluyendo vectores hipers\u00f3nicos. Este sistema reemplazar\u00e1 al antiguo programa SBIRS, proporcionando una vigilancia persistente y mejorada hasta los 35.400 km de altura. Con esta tecnolog\u00eda, EE. UU. busca optimizar la detecci\u00f3n temprana y la cobertura en \u00e1reas estrat\u00e9gicas. El programa demuestra el avance hacia una red de sensores m\u00e1s resilientes en el espacio. Finalmente, el \u00e9xito del proyecto consolida la capacidad de monitoreo de largo alcance del Comando de Sistemas Espaciales de ese pa\u00eds.<\/p>\n
Raytheon has delivered its second sensor to Lockheed Martin, the lead contractor for the US Space Force\u2019s (USSF) mid-latitude missile warning and tracking satellite program.<\/p>\n
The sensor payloads feature advanced optical designs and algorithms to detect the heat signatures of missile launches, including hypersonic weapon systems.<\/p>\n
Lockheed\u00a0secured<\/a>\u00a0a $4.9-billion contract in January 2021 to produce three Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Block 0 satellites, commonly known as NGG satellites, by May 2028.<\/p>\n The first satellite<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 also featuring Raytheon\u2019s sensors \u2014 is already complete and ready to support initial launch capability, according to the RTX-owned company.<\/p>\n VP for Mission Solutions & Payloads at Raytheon\u00a0Jeff<\/strong>\u00a0McCall<\/strong>\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0that such satellite programs \u201cdemonstrate how high-altitude, long-duration observation sensing unlocks new mission coverage in key areas.\u201d<\/p>\n Next-Gen OPIR GEO Satellite Program<\/strong><\/p>\n The Next-Gen OPIR GEO program intends to replace the aging\u00a0Space-Based Infrared System<\/a>.<\/p>\n Featuring enhanced sensors and persistent missile-warning coverage from geosynchronous orbit roughly 22,000 miles (35,400 kilometers) above Earth, the satellites will\u00a0complement<\/a>\u00a0the Space Systems Command\u2019s MEO missile-track custody satellites and the Space Development Agency\u2019s Tracking Layer constellation in low Earth orbit.<\/p>\n The program\u00a0passed a critical design review<\/a>\u00a0in August 2021, initially targeting a 2025 launch for its first satellite, which the Government Accountability Office warned was overly ambitious.<\/p>\n In June 2025, officials confirmed the first launch would be pushed to 2026 due to technical challenges and high demand for launch services, as\u00a0per<\/a>\u00a0Defense News<\/em>.<\/p>\n