Raytheon Intelligence & Space has received a $605-million contract to develop a Medium Earth Orbit missile tracking system for the US Space Force.
As part of the deal, the company will produce space vehicle prototypes to host a state-of-the-art missile tracking mission payload.
It will also deliver real-time mission-data processing elements to support a ground system framework that collects and processes data from satellites.
“This is an advanced solution to counter emerging missile threats facing our country,” Raytheon official Roger Cole said. “Our system will enable the Space Force to accurately detect and track adversarial hypersonic weapons with precision accuracy.”
Once deployed, the missile tracking system will complement the service’s fleet of missile warning satellites positioned over 20,000 miles (32,186 kilometers) above the Earth.
It is expected to operate at an altitude of up to 2,000 miles (3,218 kilometers).
Missile Track Custody Program
The multimillion-dollar contract is part of the US Space Force’s Missile Track Custody (MTC) program.
The MTC seeks to deploy initial warfighter capability for missile tracking at medium Earth orbit.
In November, Raytheon completed the critical design review of its missile tracking mission payload for the MTC program.
The payload features components such as a telescope, electronics, focal plane, and firmware, all ready for fabrication.
The American defense firm utilized digital engineering models to demonstrate all critical elements and minimize the potential risks of the program.
“Our country faces new and diverse missile threats that require a layered approach to detection, tracking and defense,” Cole remarked.
“Using the latest digital engineering techniques, we’ve successfully completed key design elements of the fully compliant payload design in just under 18 months.”
