BAE Systems to provide US Space Force with missile warning and tracking satellite system

BAE Systems has been awarded a USD 1.2 billion (EUR 1 billion) contract by US Space Systems Command to provide the US Space Force with missile tracking satellite capabilities, the company announced on 4 June 2025.

BAE Systems will serve as the prime contractor for the Resilient Missile Warning & Tracking (RMWT) – Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Epoch 2 programme and will design and build 10 spacecraft under the contract, which specifies a four-year delivery timeline for the space vehicles plus another five years of operations and support.

The programme will provide resilient, space-based missile warning and tracking of ballistic missiles and advanced threats, such as hypersonic glide vehicles.

BAE Systems will also develop the ground system that will manage the satellite constellation by delivering mission management, command and control (C2) and mission operations solutions to enhance operational efficiency.

“This effort builds on our capabilities to facilitate low cost, integrated satellite defense programs that bring together payload and bus builds, while managing ground support, operations and sustainment,” Thai Sheridan, vice president and general manager of Military Space for BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Our system enables close co-ordination through a ‘one-team’ approach across capabilities that are critical for missile warning and tracking success.”

Enhanced by advanced onboard data processing and data crosslinks, each satellite will feature a highly capable electro-optical/infrared sensor and communication payload.

The payload operation is supported by the Trek bus variant of BAE Systems’ Elevation spacecraft product line. Trek offers increased payload interface flexibility, an enhanced attitude determination and control system, and secure communication capabilities.

The programme will advance warfighter capabilities by supporting continuous delivery of mission data to seamlessly integrate with operational missile defence systems.

The new contract builds on BAE Systems’ ongoing support of US Department of Defense and Space Force satellite constellations that enhance national security and government resiliency across the enterprise.

Earlier in 2025 Space Systems Command selected the company to provide a new satellite C2 system for the Space Force’s Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) programme.