Lockheed Martin Chosen to Develop OPIR ODETT Prototype for U.S. Space Force

November 27, 2023 – National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL), manager of the Space Systems Command (SSC) Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) program, has announced the award of the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Data Exploitation Technology Transition (ODETT) to Lockheed Martin Corporation. Lockheed Martin will receive $5.2 million to create prototypes that will exploit data and optimize value from current space sensing investments within SSC.

The OPIR ODETT prototype will build upon a cloud infrastructure and framework solution, enhancing the accuracy of existing OPIR detected event characterization and typing to improve the quality of the High-Altitude Dim Event Stalker (HADES) mission processing chain and improve typing and characterization performance.

The focus of the OPIR prototyping project is to minimize manual effort by developing algorithms and/or applications that will help optimize the ability to correctly classify and type OPIR events while minimizing incorrect classifications. These improvements include an ability to process a greater volume of battlespace awareness and missile warning events and increased accuracy in the typing of characterization of individual recognized threats.

The project’s expected period of performance is four years. Lockheed Martin is expected to deliver and perform a series of prototype demonstrations which will show an increasing level of maturity in the prototype. This effort will increase the efficiency of data exploitation, supporting the U.S. Space Force and DoD’s strategic priorities in the space domain. OPIR ODETT was awarded through the SpEC OTA, managed by NSTXL.

About SpEC

The Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) was created in 2017 through the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. SpEC was created to bridge the cultural gap between military buyers and commercial space startups and small businesses through OTAs. SpEC’s innovative contracting process allows them to solicit bids from a mix of member companies including companies that have not previously done work with the DoD.

About NSTXL

NSTXL is focused on building a network of innovators and creators across the most sought-after emerging technology fields. As an open-source platform, our approach was designed to encourage network growth and collaboration without stifling change. We support our network by providing commercial-term contracting, open-source technology discovery, modern-day marketing outreach, a strongly interconnected network for easy teaming and cybersecurity compliance support.