The US Space Force has awarded BAE Systems a $1.2-billion contract to design and build 10 Epoch 2 spacecraft for the Resilient Missile Warning and Tracking Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) program.
The deal covers a four-year delivery timeline and an additional five years for operations and support, in addition to developing a ground system for satellite constellation management.
Featuring an enhanced electro-optical/infrared sensor and communication payload, Epoch 2 will operate in MEO — 2,000 to 36,000 kilometers (1,242 miles to 22,369 miles) above sea level — to detect and track threats, including enemy intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles.
“This effort builds on our capabilities to facilitate low cost, integrated satellite defense programs that bring together payload