EO/IR Weather Systems

The EO/IR Weather Systems program, under Program Element (PE) 1203710SF, is a Space Force-led research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on advancing space-based environmental monitoring (SBEM) through electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) technologies. The program's primary objective is to provide global, persistent 24/7 coverage for two critical mission gaps: Cloud Characterization (CC) and Theater Weather Imagery (TWI). These capabilities are essential for supporting Department of Defense (DoD) operations, including daily air missions, intelligence gathering, and strategic planning. The EO/IR Weather Systems program is designed to replace the aging Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), which is projected to reach end-of-life in September 2026, and the EWS-Geostationary (EWS-G) system, expected to end in September 2030.

The program is structured to ensure continuity of weather data for military operations, particularly in regions such as eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean, which are critical for commands like INDOPACOM, CENTCOM, and AFRICOM. The loss of CC and TWI data would significantly degrade the U.S. military's ability to forecast and monitor adverse weather, impacting both operational effectiveness and international commitments. The EO/IR Weather Systems effort also supports the DoD's responsibility to maintain SBEM civil and international partnerships, ensuring the U.S. remains a key contributor to the global Family of Systems architecture for environmental monitoring.

The EO/IR Weather System Development line item is the main vehicle for executing the program's objectives. This project focuses on a multi-phased approach to mature multi-spectral imaging capabilities, with an emphasis on competitive prototyping, integration, testing, and on-orbit demonstrations of EO/IR sensors and satellite vehicles. The acquisition strategy leverages a distributed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) architecture to enhance scalability and resilience, while also evaluating commercial service models hosted on proliferated LEO mesh networks. The program aims to minimize technology and cost risks by assessing multiple sensor and satellite prototypes, informing the selection of a cost-effective operational replacement for legacy systems.

Key activities in FY 2025 and FY 2026 include the continuation and completion of Increment 0 Operational Demonstrations. For demonstration #1, the program will finalize integration and testing, prepare for launch, and conduct on-orbit performance characterization to ensure operational data quality. Demonstration #2 will involve further design, build, and integration efforts, with funding allocated for launch vehicle procurement and integration studies. These demonstrations are critical for validating the technical approach and informing the broader SBEM acquisition strategy, which will guide the transition to full operational capability.

The program also invests in technical mission analysis, enterprise systems engineering, and integration support to ensure robust program management and technical oversight. Partnerships with industry, other U.S. government agencies, and international allies are leveraged to accelerate technology development and enhance system resilience in contested space environments. The use of Other Transaction Authority (OTA) and Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracts has enabled cost savings and flexibility, allowing the program to adapt to emerging threats and technological advancements with agility.

In addition to hardware development, the EO/IR Weather Systems program supports studies, technical analyses, risk reduction efforts, and experimentation to address both current and emerging adversarial threats. The program's acquisition strategy is informed by ongoing architectural analyses and commercial industry investments, ensuring that future EO/IR systems can meet operational need dates and provide persistent coverage, particularly for high-priority regions such as the Indian Ocean. Options for remote ground stations and commercial EO/IR capabilities are also being explored to further enhance coverage and system resilience.