Space Force proposes canceling $3.4 billion polar missile-warning satellite program

Lead

The Space Force is proposing to cancel the $3.4 billion Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar program in its 2027 budget request, shifting planned coverage of northern missile threats to satellite constellations it is developing in other orbits.

Northrop Grumman, which is under contract to build two satellites for the program, says its work is continuing on schedule and on budget.

What Happened

Budget documents released April 27 call for ending the program, also known as Next-Gen OPIR Polar or NGP. The program is intended to provide missile-warning and tracking coverage over the northern polar region.

The service instead wants to rely on the low-Earth orbit and medium-Earth orbit layers of its Resilient Missile Warning/Missile Tracking program. According to the Space Force, those constellations are projected to provide the necessary coverage of missile threats in the Northern Hemisphere.

“Due to projected polar coverage from the low-Earth orbit and medium-Earth orbit layers” of that program, the Space Force said in its budget justification documents, it had made a risk-informed decision to terminate Next-Gen OPIR Polar.

Why It Matters

The proposal would end a multibillion-dollar program built around two Northrop Grumman satellites and move the polar missile-warning mission to constellations the Space Force is developing in different orbits.

For now, the cancellation remains a proposal included in the service’s 2027 budget request. Northrop Grumman’s current work has not stopped: A company spokesperson said it “continues, on-schedule and on-budget.”

Background

Next-Gen OPIR Polar was designed to supply warning and tracking coverage for the northern polar region. Northrop Grumman holds the contract to produce two satellites for the program.

Whats Next

The Space Force’s requested path is to terminate Next-Gen OPIR Polar and depend on the planned low-Earth orbit and medium-Earth orbit layers of the Resilient Missile Warning/Missile Tracking program for northern coverage. Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman says it is continuing work under its existing contract.