BAE Systems Wins $16 Million DARPA Phase 2 Contract to Develop Autonomous Space Surveillance System

BAE Systems has secured a $16 million Phase 2 contract from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to continue work on its Oversight programme, a research initiative aimed at developing autonomous, space-based surveillance capabilities capable of maintaining persistent custody of terrestrial assets. The contract has been awarded to the company’s FAST Labs research, development and production organisation.

The Oversight programme is intended to address emerging military requirements for continuous, resilient and responsive surveillance from space. Its central goal is to create an autonomous system capable of maintaining constant awareness and custody of a large number of ground-based targets, using proliferated and networked satellite constellations designed specifically for space-based surveillance missions. By distributing sensing, processing and coordination across multiple satellites, the programme seeks to reduce reliance on ground-based control and improve performance in contested or degraded environments.

Phase 1: Integration, Modelling and Initial Demonstration

During Phase 1 of the programme, BAE Systems focused on validating the Oversight concept through detailed modelling and simulation. The company integrated its autonomous software into a representative simulation environment that incorporated satellite and sensor models. This environment was used to demonstrate a custody mission in which space-based assets autonomously coordinated to detect, track and maintain continuous awareness of targets.

The Phase 1 work demonstrated several critical capabilities, including autonomous tasking of satellites, coordination between sensors, and the ability to maintain custody as targets moved through different regions of coverage. The modelling and simulation effort showed that the Oversight software could manage representative mission scenarios while operating under realistic constraints, such as limited communication windows and sensor availability. The successful completion of this phase confirmed the technical feasibility of autonomous, space-based custody missions and provided the foundation for further development.

Phase 2: Maturation, Scale and Operational Relevance

The newly awarded Phase 2 contract builds directly on the results of Phase 1. Under this phase, BAE Systems will further mature its solution algorithms and expand the scope of Oversight demonstrations. The work will involve operations using larger satellite constellations and more complex scenarios, reflecting the scale and diversity of missions expected in real-world defence operations.

Phase 2 will also introduce higher-fidelity modelling and simulation environments, incorporating more detailed representations of orbital dynamics, sensor performance and operational conditions. In addition to simulation-based work, the programme will include physical deployment of Oversight software and algorithms to tactical-edge satellites and ground stations, marking a significant step toward operational validation.

“Future mission requirements are pushing capabilities to the tactical edge,” said Dr. Ben Cooper, senior principal scientist at BAE Systems FAST Labs. “In space, this means operating primarily on-board satellites. Through this program, we will help make the space domain more tactically relevant for warfighters.”

Persistent Surveillance and Tactical Timescales

A key objective of the Oversight programme is the deployment of autonomous software and algorithms on proliferated, networked satellite constellations. This approach is intended to enable persistent surveillance at tactical timescales, with satellites coordinating directly in space to share data and make decisions.

By performing coordination and data processing onboard satellites rather than relying solely on ground-based systems, Oversight is expected to deliver lower latency and higher revisit rates. These improvements are designed to support near real-time tracking of assets of interest and provide more timely information to military operators.

Benefits for Warfighters and Decision-Making

According to BAE Systems, the increased scale, availability and timeliness of space-derived information enabled by Oversight will significantly enhance situational awareness for warfighters. Improved awareness, combined with faster data delivery, is expected to accelerate decision-making, helping commanders respond more effectively in fast-moving and complex operational environments.

The programme aligns with broader U.S. Department of Defense efforts to develop distributed, resilient and autonomous space architectures that can operate effectively under increasing operational demands and potential adversary threats.

Facilities and Industry Collaboration

Work on the Oversight programme will be carried out at BAE Systems facilities in Burlington, Massachusetts, and Merrimack, New Hampshire. The effort also includes collaboration with subcontractor AIMdyn, Inc., which is contributing expertise in advanced modelling, simulation and decision-support technologies.

The Phase 2 award highlights DARPA’s continued investment in next-generation autonomous space systems and reinforces BAE Systems’ role in developing advanced technologies for future U.S. space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.