Machine Nation News Team
March 18, 2025 at 11:15:00 AM
BAE Systems Has Secured A $151 Million Contract To Develop A Next-generation Ground System For U.S. Space Force Missile-Warning Satellites
BAE Systems has clinched a $151 million contract from the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) to advance the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) Command and Control (C2) system, announced on March 3, 2025. This next-generation ground system will enhance missile warning and tracking capabilities for the Space Force’s upcoming Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites, set to launch in 2026. Awarded through the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) Other Transaction Authority (OTA), the deal funds Phase 2 of FORGE C2 prototyping at BAE’s Colorado Springs facility, building on Phase 1 milestones to deliver a scalable, cyber-hardened architecture. The system integrates commercial off-the-shelf tech, government software, and open-source solutions, ensuring agility and resilience against evolving threats.
The FORGE C2 will initially support legacy Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellites while preparing for Next-Gen OPIR’s geosynchronous and polar orbit deployments, which feature advanced sensors to counter hypersonic and ballistic missile threats. BAE Systems’ Space & Mission Systems VP, John Duque, called it “foundational to national security,” aligning with SSC’s $15.6 billion budget to modernize space infrastructure. With delivery expected by mid-2026, this contract positions BAE to bridge current and future missile-warning needs, reinforcing U.S. space dominance amid a $14 billion Next-Gen OPIR program. The project also supports over 2,500 jobs across BAE’s U.S. operations, boosting local economies like Colorado’s tech corridor.
Source:
Space Systems Command Press Release, March 3, 2025
Source:
Social Media Buzz (powered by X):
X lit up on March 30, 2025, with praise for BAE Systems’ $151 million Space Force win. Users hailed it as a “big step” for missile defense, with one post noting “FORGE C2’s cyber resilience is clutch for Next-Gen OPIR.” Others spotlighted the job growth, calling it a “Colorado tech boom,” reflecting widespread enthusiasm for its impact on security and innovation in 2025.
What is the Command and Control (C2)?
This is one of many key terms of our broad Machine Nation Essential Modern Precision Industries Guidebook (MPIG). Click here to get a copy straight to your inbox.
Command and Control (C2) - A critical framework in precision industries, integrating advanced systems, data analytics, and human oversight to manage complex operations, such as coordinating satellite networks for real-time missile detection and response.
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Related Tags:
#BAESystems #SpaceForce #FORGEC2 #MissileWarning #NextGenOPIR #SpaceTech