COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The 11th Space Warning Squadron (11SWS), Mission Delta 4 (MD4), Space Operations Command (SpOC), took operational acceptance of Delivery #2 for the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) September 23, 2025, at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo. This acceptance marks a significant advancement in 11 SWS’s missile warning capabilities by integrating Mission Data Processing (MDP) into 11 SWS operations, enhancing the speed, accuracy, and cyber-resilience of the nation's space-based missile warning systems.
FORGE will provide the cornerstone of a resilient OPIR ground architecture supporting legacy Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) and Next-Gen OPIR satellite payloads such as Next-Gen OPIR GEO (NGG), Polar (NGP), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. It will also integrate capabilities from both FORGE and non-FORGE efforts, ensuring interoperability and mission flexibility across the missile warning and tracking enterprise. The system aims to deliver a more flexible, adaptable, and resilient ground architecture that can rapidly evolve to meet emerging threats.
Space Systems Command (SSC) is leading the FORGE program, working in close collaboration with industry partners to develop and deploy this critical capability. 11 SWS’s operational acceptance of FORGE Delivery #2 from SSC marks it as the first SpOC entity to employ FORGE to provide innovative missile warning and tracking solutions to the downrange warfighter.
Delivery #2 builds on Delivery #1 by integrating enhanced, modernized software into the Forge hardware accepted by 11 SWS in April 2024. This new software is more compatible with the Forge hardware and will allow the system to operate with more accuracy at a faster cadence. The delivery includes state of the art Cyber defense that ensures the Missile Warning and Tracking enterprise is defended against the most sophisticated cyber-attacks, and its containerized format is more automated with OPIR sensors, increasing warning and warfighting capabilities for SpOC.
"The operational acceptance of FORGE Delivery #2 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Space Force Guardians and our industry partners," said Colonel Aaron Cochran, Commander of Mission Delta 4, Space Operations Command. "This achievement marks a crucial step forward in our efforts to modernize our missile warning infrastructure and ensure our ability to deter and defend against evolving threats. Forge brings a more resilient warfighting platform for missile warning battle space awareness and technical intelligence to keep up with our peer and near-peer competitors and ensure global mission warning for the United States and our allies."
FORGE's architecture, developed through a modular and agile approach, allows for continuous integration and delivery of new capabilities, ensuring the Space Force remains at the forefront of technological advancements. This iterative development process enables the rapid deployment of crucial updates and enhancements, adapting to the ever-changing threat landscape.
Mission Delta 4, headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, provides strategic and theater missile warning to the United States and our International Partners by operating and supporting three constellations of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellites and two types of Ground-Based Radars (GBRs) for the purpose of conducting strategic and theater missile warning. MD4 provides tipping and cueing to missile defense forces; provides battlespace awareness to Combatant Commanders and technical intelligence for further analysis; manages weapon system architectures; and ensures operations are intelligence-led, cyber-resilient, and driven by innovation.