Think fast: A missile-defense system built for speed

Think fast: A missile-defense system built for speed
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 16, 2024

Satellites positioned high above Earth transmit crucial data to the surface in under a second, appearing swiftly on a computer screen monitored by a U.S. Space Force operator. The operator's swift understanding of this data is vital for rapid decision-making during high-stakes missile defense situations.

"Speed is everything. Speed to mission, speed to impact, speed to performance," said Jabari Loving, associate director in Requirements and Capabilities at Raytheon, an RTX business.

Speed has been central for the team behind the FORGE MDPAF system - an advanced software and hardware solution that enables Space Force ground stations to fulfill their mission objectives. Its development emphasized rapid execution, utilizing modern commercial software development methods to meet stringent Space Force deadlines.

FORGE MDPAF's efficiency has already been proven, even during trial phases, successfully aiding missile-defense operations worldwide.

"That was a tremendous achievement for the team and the mission," said Jeff McCall, executive director of Enterprise and Strategic Mission Systems for Raytheon. "We were proud to be a part of it."

Enhanced decision-making capabilities
The Space Force, the latest U.S. military branch, assigned RTX to create a robust software system to assist missile defense operators in making quick, informed decisions. Raytheon began building the FORGE MDPAF (Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution Mission Data Processing Application Framework) as a prototype in 2019, refining it to operational status by early 2024.

"We are the first and only team to have developed this project and have it operational," McCall said. "We are the benchmark for how to incorporate cyber capabilities into space mission systems."

FORGE MDPAF enables seamless data flow between previously disparate systems and their software, enhancing data processing speed, as Loving noted. The system's compatibility simplifies data interpretation for operators, streamlining their workflow.

"You don't want them to have to sift through the data on their own," Loving said, emphasizing FORGE MDPAF's capability to integrate inputs from various applications.

Adaptability to evolving needs
FORGE MDPAF's open architecture supports the integration of new software, aligning with the Space Force's emphasis on flexibility amid increasing satellite data and evolving threats. The system is designed to receive updates, much like smartphone applications, enhancing its missile warning and tracking capabilities. The use of a DevSecOps pipeline - incorporating security throughout development - ensures robust performance.

"FORGE MDPAF is very flexible," Loving said. "We were able to onboard the application in a timeframe that has not been seen in the past."

Employing Agile development processes, including quarterly milestone reviews, the team maintained a rapid development pace.

"Under Agile development we can continue to bring in new capabilities rapidly," McCall said. "You need an adaptable architecture that can bring in new capabilities, and combine capabilities, and sources in new ways to deliver key insights."

Future advancements
FORGE MDPAF's ongoing development aims to further enhance its functionality and expand its missile-warning and tracking capabilities.

"This is part of our evolution roadmap," McCall said. "It's not a 'one and done' solution - we need to continually evolve capability."

Currently, FORGE MDPAF processes data from the Space Force's Space Based Infrared System constellation and will support the upcoming Next Gen OPIR constellation. RTX's extensive history of supporting U.S. space missions ensures it will continue contributing to the Space Force's operations, collaborating with Space Systems Command, Space Operations Command, and Space Training and Readiness Command.

"Building on this legacy, we are uniquely qualified and prepared to fulfill the customer vision of reusing what we can, refactoring what we need and re-developing only what we must," McCall said.