Broomfield, Colo. – September 21, 2026 -- BAE Systems has completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the $1.2 billion U.S. Space Force Resilient Missile Warning & Tracking (RMWT) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Epoch 2 program, clearing the way for full-scale production.
Review clears satellite constellation for hypersonic and ballistic missile tracking
The MEO Epoch 2 program will deliver resilient, space-based missile warning and tracking against ballistic missiles and advanced threats including hypersonic glide vehicles, supporting U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command operations. The CDR confirms the design meets operational, performance and safety requirements, allowing the program to proceed to the next production phase.
BAE Systems to build 10 spacecraft plus ground control infrastructure
As prime contractor, BAE Systems will design and build 10 spacecraft for the mission and develop the associated ground system. The ground system will manage the satellite constellation, delivering mission management, command and control, and mission operations capabilities intended to improve operational efficiency.
Design review completed just 14 months after contract award
BAE Systems finished the CDR on schedule, only 14 months after the program was awarded to the company, meeting the U.S. Space Force's rapid-development requirement. Thai Sheridan, vice president and general manager of Military Space for BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems, said digital modelling and simulation, combined with early and ongoing collaboration with the customer, enabled the fast CDR completion. Long-lead procurements secured by the company over the past year supported the compressed timeline.
Established production heritage underpins detailed design execution
BAE Systems applied detailed design work throughout the process, enabling early production of program components. The company leveraged its design heritage and production history with the TREK spacecraft bus, model-based systems engineering practices, and expertise with infrared optical payloads to support the schedule.