EL SEGUNDO, Calif., : Boeing has begun operations on a newly established electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) sensor production line at its satellite manufacturing facility in El Segundo, California. The 9,000-square-foot expansion is dedicated to producing advanced sensor payloads for U.S. Space Force missile warning satellites and other national security customers.
The new line is designed primarily to support Millennium Space Systems, Boeing’s small satellite subsidiary, in executing its contract under the U.S. Space Force’s Resilient Missile Warning and Tracking program (MWT MEO) in medium-Earth orbit (MEO). Millennium Space Systems is responsible for delivering 12 satellites for the program’s first deployment phase, known as Epoch 1.
Dedicated Support for MWT MEO Program
The MWT MEO initiative focuses on deploying missile detection and tracking satellites in medium-Earth orbit to enhance the Space Force’s ability to detect and monitor missile threats from space. The 12 satellites being developed by Millennium will operate in MEO and are equipped with EO/IR sensors capable of identifying missile launches and tracking their trajectories.
The satellites represent Epoch 1, part of a structure that deploys spacecraft in sequential batches referred to as epochs. The first launch under Epoch 1 was initially planned for 2026 but has been rescheduled to mid-2027 due to broader supply chain constraints affecting the industrial base.
Tony Gingiss, Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Space Systems, stated that integrating Millennium’s spacecraft development capabilities with Boeing’s EO/IR payload expertise is intended to deliver the required mission performance for the MWT MEO program. He added that the company plans continued investment and expansion of its production footprint to support future mission requirements.
Subsequent Program Phases and Industry Participation
Following Epoch 1, the Space Force has awarded a contract to BAE Systems for 10 additional satellites under Epoch 2 of the MWT MEO program. In parallel, L3Harris Technologies is developing a prototype spacecraft to support ongoing architecture development and risk reduction.
The MEO missile tracking satellites form part of a broader space-based missile defense architecture expected to integrate with the Department of Defense’s “Golden Dome” initiative. The Golden Dome framework is intended to connect new and legacy systems, including space-based sensors and ground-based command-and-control infrastructure, to establish a layered missile defense network.
Production Expansion and Output Targets
Boeing stated that the El Segundo expansion is not limited to the immediate requirements of the MWT MEO program. The facility is intended to enable scaling across the company’s defense and commercial satellite portfolio.
The company has set a target of delivering 26 spacecraft in 2026, which would represent more than double its total satellite output from 2025. Sam Greaves, Boeing’s interim vice president for space mission systems, said the increase in production is supported by facility upgrades and workforce investments designed to maintain schedule performance while expanding output capacity.
The new EO/IR production line is part of broader factory modernization efforts at the El Segundo site, where Boeing manufactures national security and commercial satellites.
Alignment with Department of Defense Directives
The expansion aligns with recent policy direction from the Department of Defense aimed at strengthening the defense industrial base. In November, the Pentagon issued a strategy to accelerate procurement timelines, expand defense production capacity, and increase accountability in program execution.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly urged defense manufacturers to operate at what he described as a “wartime footing.” On February 18, Hegseth visited Boeing’s defense facility in St. Louis, Missouri, where the company produces platforms including the F-47, F-15EX fighter aircraft, the T-7 trainer, and munitions such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM).
During his visit, Hegseth emphasized the need for increased production capacity, including additional shifts and new manufacturing lines, to meet current and projected demand.
Industrial Base Integration
Boeing’s decision to establish a dedicated EO/IR production line reflects a vertically integrated approach to satellite manufacturing. By producing critical sensor payloads in-house at El Segundo, the company aims to reduce supply chain risk and support schedule requirements for national security missions.
With the MWT MEO program structured in multiple epochs and additional contractors contributing spacecraft, the Space Force’s missile tracking architecture in medium-Earth orbit is expected to expand incrementally over the coming years. Boeing’s facility expansion positions the company to support both current contractual commitments and potential future awards within the evolving missile defense architecture.
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