US Space Force missile alert satellites at risk of critical defects
The US Space Force's new satellite system for missile alerts is facing significant performance issues and risks developing critical defects. An unreleased report indicates that the program has suffered from delays and integration problems, raising concerns about its operational readiness. Despite these challenges, contractors are working to improve performance and meet production demands.
- ▪The satellite system is considered one of the lowest performing Space Force programs in 2025.
- ▪The report highlights hardware production delays and software integration problems as major issues.
- ▪Contractors are making efforts to address performance issues and ensure timely production of satellites.
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US Space Force missile alert satellites at risk of critical defectsSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxLockheed Martin is one of four companies building a new satellite system to alert US forces of incoming missile attacks.PHOTO: REUTERSPublished May 21, 2026, 07:20 PMUpdated May 21, 2026, 07:22 PMListenWASHINGTON – A new global satellite system to alert American forces of incoming missile attacks was one of the “lowest performing” Space Force programmes in 2025 and risks developing “mission-critical defects” after being launched into orbit, according to an unreleased service report.The system is being developed by Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3 Harris Technologies and York Space Systems.But the sprawling effort to build and launch hundreds of satellites from…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.