U.S. Space Force Awards BAE Systems $1.2B to Build Hypersonic Missile-tracking Satellites

BAE Systems has secured a $1.2 billion contract from the U.S. Space Systems Command to provide the U.S. Space Force with a new generation of missile tracking satellites.

Under the agreement, BAE Systems will serve as the prime contractor for the Resilient Missile Warning & Tracking – Medium Earth Orbit Epoch 2 (RMWT-MEO E2) program. The company is tasked with designing and manufacturing 10 spacecraft over a four-year timeline, followed by five years of operations and support.

The RMWT-MEO E2 program aims to deliver resilient, space-based missile warning and tracking capabilities. These satellites will be designed to detect and track both traditional ballistic missiles and advanced threats such as hypersonic glide vehicles.

Each satellite will carry a sophisticated electro-optical/infrared sensor and a communications payload. The spacecraft will be based on the Trek bus variant from BAE Systems’ Elevation product line. Trek is designed to offer greater payload interface flexibility, improved attitude control, and secure communications.

The contract also includes development of the ground segment to manage the satellite constellation. BAE Systems will deliver mission management, command and control, and mission operations solutions to streamline and enhance satellite performance.

The satellite system will feature onboard data processing and crosslinks for faster and more secure data transmission. The program will support continuous delivery of missile tracking data to help integrate space-based sensors into operational missile defense networks.