Raytheon missile warning data processing system declared operational
The Raytheon ground element can process data from OPIR space vehicles. (Image: Raytheon)
Raytheon’s Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution Mission Data Processing Application Framework (FORGE MDPAF) is designed as a modular and adaptable framework to provide integration of mission focused applications to handle information from satellites.
Raytheon’s system to process, exploit and disseminate information from the US Space Force's Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) constellation, used to provide space-based missile warning, has been declared as operational.
FORGE MDPAF is used to process Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellite data from both the SBIRS constellation and the future Next Gen OPIR constellation, as well as processing data from other civil and environmental sensors.
In January this year, Raytheon Intelligence & Space was awarded a contract to develop a prototype Missile Track Custody (MTC) system, the service’s first medium Earth orbit (MEO) missile tracking capability, this will also use FORGE MDPAF.
In 2020 Raytheon was awarded a US$197 million contract from USAF contract to design the system which generates warnings, alerts and other information for combatants and eventually, civilian first responders and researchers.
At the time of the 2020 contract award, a company official noted that “the US government's global satellite network produces a constant flood of data — petabytes and petabytes of it every day.
“Essentially, this is a smartphone model,” the official said. “We've built an operating system that everyone can build applications for – from Raytheon to the USAF to universities to small companies. These applications allow the system to process specific types of data.”
An example noted by the company is that an application could be built that would allow civil agencies to use the same satellite data to help detect forest fires, volcanic activity, agricultural changes and even surges in electric power consumption.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy]()
Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy
Israel will continue to develop autonomy for its weapons and platforms as it brings together defence personnel, academia and industry.
-
![Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s]()
Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s
Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
-
![Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch]()
Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch
The tactical satellite (TacSat) is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system and will participate in exercises in 2025.
-
![AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family]()
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
-
![BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme]()
BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme
DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.
-
![Just Released: Space Technology Report]()
Just Released: Space Technology Report
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
