BAE Systems has tapped MDA Space as a supplier for the Epoch 2 missile warning constellation for the U.S. Space Force. Under a subcontract announced Tuesday, MDA Space will design and build antennas and control electronics for the constellation.
U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) awarded BAE Systems a $1.2 billion contract in June of last year for its Resilient Missile Warning & Tracking (RMWT) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Epoch 2 program.
BAE Systems is designing and building a 10-spacecraft constellation that will provide satellite warning and tracking capabilities targeting ballistic missiles and advanced threats, such as hypersonic glide vehicles. BAE and the Space Force completed the preliminary design review for Epoch 2 in March of this year, nine months after the contract was awarded.
“Being tapped by BAE Systems for the SSC’s missile warning satellite constellation affirms our capabilities in delivering reliable satellite solutions for critical defence missions,” Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space, said in a release.
MDA Space said this award continues previous work for the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture with the company contributing to Tranche 0, 1, and 2 Transport and Tracking layers, as well as the EPOCH 1 constellation, for multiple prime contractors.
BAE previously said the satellites in the constellation will feature advanced onboard data processing and data crosslinks, an electro-optical/infrared sensor, and a communication payload, built on a Trek bus variant of the company’s Elevation spacecraft product line.
