NGG completes preliminary design reviews
The US Space Force (USSF) Space and Missile Systems Centre has completed preliminary design reviews of its Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Geosynchronous Earth Orbiting (GEO) satellite programme, otherwise known as NGG.
The programme is developing two IR mission payloads as an effort to mitigate risks to the launch schedule for the first NGG satellite due to be launched in 2025.
Separate teams from Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems and Northrop Grumman (in partnership with Ball Aerospace) will each design, manufacture, assemble, integrate, test and deliver one mission payload to be included on the first two of three NGG satellites.
Col Dennis Bythewood, USSF programme executive officer for space development, said: ‘NGG is a critical piece of our missile warning architecture that will deliver a capable, resilient and defensible missile warning system to counter determined adversaries.’
A contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin in August 2018 for the delivery of three NCG space vehicles.
More from Defence Notes
-
Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force
It has been more than six weeks since the Irish general election. After long negotiations, a coalition of two of the three largest parties and independents has resulted in a Programme for Government (PfG) which will form the basis of a government almost guaranteed to be formed on 22 January.
-
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
-
Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.