Raytheon Technologies has received an award valued at more than $250 million to design, develop and deliver a seven-vehicle missile tracking satellite constellation, as well as support launch and ground operations by the Space Development Agency.
Once deployed, the low-Earth orbit constellation of networked satellites will become the fifth plane of satellites providing missile warning and tracking for the Department of Defense. The program is a key element of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
"Developing a resilient and affordable proliferated satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit will improve our ability to track emerging threats like hypersonic missiles," said Dave Broadbent, president of Space & C2 at Raytheon Intelligence & Space. "Continuing to develop this architecture with SDA and our industry partners will be a high priority for us in the coming months."
Raytheon has been developing missile warning systems for decades. Since acquiring Blue Canyon Technologies and SEAKR Engineering, Raytheon has expanded its space payload and satellite bus capabilities and expertise, becoming a leading provider of space systems to a growing number of programs.
Raytheon will leverage existing designs, available commercial products and common components to reduce technical risk and speed delivery.
The seven-vehicle satellite constellation will feature Raytheon's Wide Field of View overhead persistent infrared sensor, Blue Canyon Technologies' Saturn-class microsatellite bus, and SEAKR Engineering's electronics payload.
