SMC, SDA Missile Warning Sat Ground Systems Won't 'Talk' – For Now « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary
CLARIFICATION/UPDATE: To reflect that the SDA Tracking Layer satellites will be able to directly tip and queue other OPIR satellites in future; and the resumption of the program. WASHINGTON: The $4.9 billion contract to produce three Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) missile warning satellites seems to fly in the face of loudly touted Air and Space Force efforts to embrace open standards and cut the number of ground stations, receivers and antennas, experts said. Instead, the new contract awarded to Lockheed Martin includes bespoke ground systems and sensor processi...