Millennium Space Systems Secures $414M Contract for Hypersonic Missile Tracking Satellites

Millennium Space Systems, a subsidiary of aerospace giant Boeing, has secured a contract worth $414 million from the Space Development Agency (SDA). The contract entails the production of specialized satellites designed to detect and track hypersonic missile threats.

Under the terms of the agreement, Millennium Space Systems will spearhead the construction of eight satellites equipped with cutting-edge infrared and optical sensors. These satellites will not only be responsible for detecting and tracking hypersonic missiles but will also encompass the provision of ground system infrastructure and operational support for in-orbit activities.

The initiative, known as the Fire-control On Orbit-support-to-the-war Fighter (FOO Fighter) program, represents a crucial component of the broader strategic endeavor by SDA termed the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The overarching objective of the PWSA initiative is to establish a resilient network comprising hundreds of small, mass-produced satellites operating in low-Earth orbit. This network aims to bolster military operations by facilitating enhanced capabilities for detecting and tracking enemy missiles, among other functionalities.

Scheduled for launch in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, the FOO Fighter satellites are poised to play a pivotal role in demonstrating advanced missile defense capabilities.

The FOO Fighter program is strategically positioned to address this challenge by leveraging advanced technologies to collect precise tracking data and guide interceptor missiles effectively.

Jason Kim, CEO of Millennium Space Systems, expressed the company's commitment to the mission, describing FOO Fighter as a "no kidding, critical mission" aimed at safeguarding the interests of the nation and its allies. Kim underscored the meticulous mission engineering undertaken by the company, which is anchored in rigorous modeling and simulation exercises to ensure the efficacy of the payload and its alignment with mission objectives.

The significance of the FOO Fighter program was echoed by Kay Sears, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems, who hailed the contract award as a major milestone for Millennium Space Systems. Sears emphasized the program's role as a pathfinder in driving innovation, capability, and operational agility to meet the demanding requirements of critical national security missions.

Michelle Parker, Vice President of Boeing Space Mission Systems, emphasized the pivotal role played by Millennium Space Systems in addressing advanced threats such as hypersonic missile systems. Parker reiterated the company's commitment to providing the U.S. military with fire-control quality tracks essential for safeguarding national security interests and those of allied nations.

The FOO Fighter program underscores the collaborative efforts between industry and government entities in advancing cutting-edge technologies to enhance the nation's defense capabilities against emerging threats.