US Space Force Advances Medium Earth Orbit Missile-Warning Program
The US Space Force’s medium Earth orbit (MEO) missile-warning and tracking initiative has reached a significant milestone. In May 2025, BAE Systems was awarded a USD 1.2 billion contract by Space Systems Command to develop 10 Epoch 2 satellites for the Resilient Missile Warning and Tracking (MWT) MEO program. The first satellite delivery is scheduled for fiscal year 2029. This system aims to enhance space-based detection and tracking capabilities for threats ranging from traditional ballistic missiles to advanced hypersonic weapons.
Preliminary Design Review Marks Key Progress
The program achieved a major milestone with the successful completion of its preliminary design review (PDR) in March 2026, less than nine months after the contract was awarded. The PDR establishes the technical baseline for the satellite constellation and its ground command-and-control segment, signifying the transition from concept definition to a more advanced design phase. Space Systems Command has announced that the critical design review is planned for summer 2026, marking this as a significant progression rather than a routine update.
Strategic Importance of the Epoch 2 Constellation
The Epoch 2 constellation plays a critical role in the broader US missile-defense architecture. It will add 10 satellites to the existing 12-satellite Epoch 1 layer in MEO, enhancing global coverage for missile warning and tracking. According to Space Systems Command, the architecture is designed to improve resilience and provide enhanced tracking capabilities against fast-moving and maneuverable threats, while also supporting the protection of US forces, allies, and partners.
BAE Systems' Comprehensive Role
BAE Systems’ responsibilities extend beyond satellite construction. The company is tasked with mission planning integration, satellite bus and payload delivery, launch support, and ground operations support. The company has emphasized the use of digital modeling, model-based systems engineering, its TREK bus, and its expertise in infrared optical payloads to accelerate the design process. This integrated approach is essential, as modern missile-warning constellations rely on seamless coordination of sensing, data processing, and mission-management systems to operate effectively in real-world scenarios.
Implications for Future Missile Defense
This milestone underscores the Space Force’s efforts to accelerate the deployment of missile-warning capabilities through iterative development cycles, or “epochs,” and closer collaboration between government and industry. The program highlights the growing importance of layered, resilient constellations in multiple orbital layers, with MEO playing a pivotal role in the overall architecture. If the program remains on schedule, Epoch 2 will serve as a foundational component of the next generation of US space-based missile warning and tracking systems.