An advanced ground system for space-based missile warning developed by Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, is now operational at the U.S. Space Force‘s Overhead Persistent Infrared Battlespace Awareness Center (OBAC).
The Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution Mission Data Processing Application Framework (FORGE MDPAF) is a modular and adaptable framework that enables fast integration of mission focused applications to process, exploit and disseminate information from satellites.
The current version of FORGE MDPAF is the result of the company working through regular incremental development releases to optimize and add new iterative capabilities. As a next step, FORGE MDPAF will move from supporting OBAC operations to full missile warning detection. FORGE MDPAF is used to process Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellite data from both the U.S. Space Force’s Space Based Infrared System constellation and the future Next Gen OPIR constellation, as well as processing data from other civil and environmental sensors.
“There are thousands of satellites on orbit today and space is an increasingly contested domain,” said Sandy Brown, vice president for Mission Solutions & Payloads for Raytheon. “FORGE MDPAF is designed to scale in a way that can handle the current volume of missile warning data and grow to support future proliferated space data processing needs.“
About Raytheon
Raytheon, an RTX business, is a leading provider of defense solutions to help the U.S. government, our allies and partners defend their national sovereignty and ensure their security. For more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new technologies and enhanced existing capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics and missile defense across land, air, sea and space.
About RTX
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
