In a momentous stride towards technological advancement, Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully completed the preliminary design review (PDR) of Relay Ground Station-Asia (RGS-A) for the U.S. Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific. This noteworthy achievement serves as a testament to the company's commitment to enhancing the existing missile-warning system and meeting the evolving demands of their customers.
RGS-A is poised to revolutionize the connectivity between critical legacy and next-generation satellites and end users. The positive outcome of the preliminary design review reaffirms Northrop Grumman's determination to transform the missile-warning system into a more efficient and effective entity. Notably, the review was completed one month ahead of schedule, showcasing the company's agility in responding to dynamic customer requirements.
Aaron Dann, the Vice President of Strategic Force Programs at Northrop Grumman, expresses his satisfaction with the preliminary design review, stating, "The preliminary design review exceeded our customers' expectations and is the next step in delivering much-needed new capabilities to the Pacific region. Our advanced technologies will deliver what is needed to support missile-warning and missile-tracking satellites that protect our nation and its allies."
As part of the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) system, the U.S. Space Force is actively working towards transforming the existing missile-warning system. An integral component of the FORGE architecture involves the development of relay ground stations capable of accommodating changes in bandwidth and availability while supporting existing and new satellite constellations.
Last year, Northrop Grumman secured a $99.6 million five-year contract from NIWC Pacific to undertake the design, development, integration, testing, and delivery of the relay ground station. The majority of this intricate work will be carried out at Northrop Grumman's campus in Boulder, Colorado.
Under the guidance of NIWC Pacific, six antennas will be developed for RGS-A to facilitate the Space Systems Command's (SSC) next-generation Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) ground system, which ensures the functionality of legacy satellites in geosynchronous orbit. RGS-A is expected to be deployed in Guam and is on track to be installed by late 2025.
