The U.S. Air Force awaits Congress to decide on the transfer of $160M for a new constellation of early warning satellites, Space News reported Monday.
The service branch seeks to transfer funds from fiscal 2018 and 2019 to allotments for the next-generation Overhead Persistent Infrared or OPIR system.
The next-gen OPIR system will consist of three early warning satellites operating in geosynchronous and polar orbits. Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are working to develop the constellation.
Congress’ approval of the transfer would help USAF deploy the initial next-gen OPIR satellite on schedule in 2025.
