RTX’s Raytheon business delivered its second Next‑Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) missile‑warning sensor to Lockheed Martin on April 28, 2026, as part of the U.S. Space Force’s Next‑Gen OPIR (NGG) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit satellite program. The sensor, designed and built by Raytheon, uses advanced optical designs and algorithms to detect the heat signatures of missile launches, including hypersonic weapons, and provides enhanced sensitivity and tracking performance for the Space Force’s missile‑warning architecture.
The delivery marks a key milestone in the NGG program, which aims to replace the aging Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS). The first NGG satellite was completed and ready for launch, but the launch of the first GEO satellite has been delayed to no earlier than March 2026 due to developmental issues and the Space Force’s launch backlog. The second sensor’s arrival expands the Space Force’s capability to detect and track space‑based threats and provides continuous coverage over mid‑latitudes, strengthening the nation’s missile‑warning posture.
RTX reported Q1 2026 earnings on April 21, 2026, beating expectations with an adjusted EPS of $1.78 versus the consensus estimate of $1.51—a $0.27 beat. Revenue rose 9% to $22.1 billion, exceeding the estimate of $21.42 billion by $0.68 billion. The earnings beat was driven by strong operating profit growth across all three RTX segments. Raytheon’s adjusted operating profit increased by 150 basis points year‑over‑year, while Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace also posted solid revenue growth. RTX raised its full‑year 2026 revenue guidance to $92.5 billion–$93.5 billion from $92 billion–$93 billion and increased its adjusted EPS guidance to $6.70–$6.90 from $6.60–$6.80, reflecting confidence in continued demand and cost control.
Investors reacted to the earnings beat with caution, focusing on tariff and geopolitical risks that could impact RTX’s defense contracts. While the company’s operational performance and raised guidance signaled strong execution, concerns about potential trade restrictions and global tensions dampened enthusiasm for the results, leading to a muted market response.
Management highlighted the significance of the NGG program. RTX Chairman and CEO Chris Calio noted that the company’s “very strong start to 2026” was driven by “organic sales and adjusted operating profit growth across all three segments, driven by our continued focus on execution and delivering our backlog.” Raytheon vice president for Mission Solutions & Payloads Jeff McCall emphasized that “demand for resilient missile warning and tracking across all orbital regimes continues to accelerate,” underscoring the strategic importance of the NGG satellites.
The sensor delivery and Q1 earnings together reinforce RTX’s position as a key provider of advanced defense and space systems. The company’s expanding defense‑space portfolio, coupled with a raised guidance outlook, suggests continued growth opportunities, while tariff and geopolitical headwinds highlight the need for vigilance in a complex global environment.
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