US Space Force awards Raytheon Intelligence & Space prototype agreement

Raytheon Intelligence & Space has been awarded a US Space Force prototype agreement to mature the space-based Medium Earth orbit Track Custody Demonstration (MTCD) programme through mission payload Critical Design Review (CDR).

MTCD transitioned from Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared GEO Block 1. The RI&S team completed a Block 1 study Mission Payload preliminary design review in September 2020.

They will build on that design for the MTCD mission payload CDR.

The team is using digital engineering, both environment and tools, for the design’s modelling and simulation, with the goal of driving a modern design and review process that is faster and more robust.

Digital engineering and agile development help to give the Space Force design insight and access to models that can show the design delivers on performance against evolving mission requirements.

The base prototype agreement is an 18-months-to-mission payload CDR. Future options include the design, integration and launch of up to three prototype vehicles as well as integration into Space Force architecture and ground systems.

Paul Meyer, vice president of Space & C2 Systems, RI&S, said: ‘The ability to combat future threats than span from cruise and ballistic to fast-flying hypersonics requires a diverse resilient missile warning/track custody architecture’