USSF Next-Gen OPIR payload to provide
critical missile warning data
EL
SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business,
delivered its first sensor payload to prime contractor Lockheed
Martin, keeping the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command's first
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared, or Next-Gen OPIR,
Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Block 0 missile warning satellite
on track for a 2025 initial launch capability.
Designed to improve missile warning resilience and performance,
two Next-Gen OPIR GEO satellites will eventually provide continuous
coverage over mid-latitudes to the existing constellation. Raytheon
is designing and building sensor payloads for both satellites.
Prior to delivery of the first payload, Raytheon completed a
series of assessments including thermal vacuum testing. Thermal
vacuum testing exposes the payload to a space-like environment and
validates digital models to ensure the sensor meets design
requirements. The second sensor payload is more than 60 percent
completed and is scheduled to start thermal vacuum testing in early
2025.
"Persistent early warning of missile threats is critical to our
national security," said Sandy
Brown, vice president for Mission Solutions & Payloads
for Raytheon. "Our payloads offer early, resilient warning against
increasingly challenging ballistic threats from adversaries."
About Raytheon
Raytheon, an RTX business, is a leading provider of defense
solutions to help the U.S. government, our allies and partners
defend their national sovereignty and ensure their security. For
more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new technologies and
enhanced existing capabilities in integrated air and missile
defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars,
interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics and missile defense
across land, air, sea and space.
About RTX
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of
technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our
world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace,
Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation,
engineering integrated defense systems, and developing
next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help
global customers address their most critical challenges. The
company, with 2023 sales of $69
billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact
corporatepr@rtx.com.
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SOURCE RTX