Resilient Missile Warning Missile Tracking - Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

The Resilient Missile Warning Missile Tracking - Low Earth Orbit (LEO) program, managed by the Space Development Agency (SDA), aims to enhance the United States' missile warning and tracking capabilities through a network of satellites in Low Earth Orbit. This initiative is part of the broader Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), which seeks to provide resilient military sensing and data transport capabilities. The program's objectives include developing and demonstrating space technologies that deliver missile warning, tracking, and defense capabilities to U.S. joint warfighting forces. These efforts are conducted in bi-annual tranches, with Tranche 1 beginning in FY 2022.

For FY 2024, the program aims to complete Optical Interoperability Testing with Tranche 1 Transport Layer Space Vehicles to ensure optical connectivity. It also plans to finalize payload and space bus production, integrate these components into final space vehicle systems, and support ground readiness reviews for integration with PWSA Operations Centers. Additionally, there is a focus on continuing enterprise data integration with networks and fusion applications to ensure rapid processing and dissemination of information to the global warfighting community.

In FY 2025, the program plans to advance Tranche 2 activities significantly. This includes completing Preliminary Design Reviews and Critical Design Reviews for the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer, initiating production of payloads and space buses, and conducting qualification testing. The program will also begin space vehicle FlatSat development and operations testing while supporting investments in facilities, hardware, network management, and software development necessary for the MW/MT/MD enterprise.

Looking ahead, the program will initiate design requirements for Tranche 3 Tracking Layer space vehicles based on force design analysis. It will draft acquisition plans for future tranches while coordinating with warfighter communities to align performance requirements. The overarching goal is to maintain a robust infrastructure that supports ongoing demonstration and experimentation programs, ensuring that the United States remains at the forefront of missile warning and tracking technology.