Get in touch
Contact us
Space and Airborne
Multidomain Operations enable a way to connect traditionally separate networks, ingest and analyse data from sensors across the globe and in space, then serve it up to operators and commanders in context and with options on what to do next. We're leveraging our deep knowledge in areas including secure communications, resilient networks, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The domain of space and airborne is just one part of multi-domain operations, supporting the collation of data and providing our customers with a clear vision and picture of what to do next.
Airborne Solutions
UK Aircraft Modification and integration Hub.
Raytheon UK operates the UK’s only dedicated special mission aircraft centre. Our site in Broughton is the Airborne Solutions’ Centre of Excellence for technology research and development.
We possess expertise in the development, modification and support of our cutting-edge surveillance equipment. We see the future of Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) in the development of multi-mission solutions not dedicated to just single sensors or single capabilities, but which can overlay intelligence from multiple sensors to give a comprehensive overview of the battle space.
Space
Space systems
Raytheon Technologies has been involved in spaceflight since the global community set its eyes on the final frontier. It was our guidance computers that steered some of the first space capsules, including Apollo 11, and it was our technology that beamed back Neil Armstrong’s famous transmission, “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
From the ground to orbit and back, our space solutions deliver mission breakthroughs that keep our customers ahead of the threat.
(Photo courtesy of Reuben Wu)
We pair modern development tools and processes with cutting-edge production and design practices to increase the quality of our capabilities, while meeting aggressive delivery timelines that keep customers ahead of the threat. We innovate on the customers’ terms – speed, relevancy and requirements.
Our enterprise approach to customer data needs breaks down data collection, insight sharing and constellation management stovepipes. We build solutions on flexible, extensible, modular platforms that allow for future expansion and the addition of new capabilities and data sources, including third party and commercial solutions.
We provide flexible, survivable and resilient solutions for integrated multi-domain effects. Our multi-domain experience and machine learning and automation technologies combine to create next-generation data-to-decision analytics, battle management command & control (BMC2) and traditional command & control (C2) systems, all of which are protected by our industry-leading layered defence against current and future cyber threats.
We’re experts in building solutions that meet the extraordinary standards required in and around space. Our systems work the first time, every time. Our ability to create and enhance systems with transformative next-generation technologies give our customers the necessary tools to address current and future threats. And we’re making the domain more accessible by integrating commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and open-source tech into our solutions, making space more affordable than ever.
From weather to missile warning to intelligence and beyond, we process hundreds of terabytes of satellite data every day. Our proven solutions enable critical space situational awareness and collection for fast, informed decisions. Our analytics, machine learning and sense-making technologies are designed to make information actionable, automate next steps and move the human analyst farther up the decision-making chain.
Raytheon NORSS
We’ve specialised in Space Domain Awareness since 2017. With experience across military and civilian applications, we provide unparalleled expertise in orbital analytics and operations from our NORSSTrack software, LOCI sensor network and diverse SDA portfolio.
Innovating from our base in Northeast England and collaborating with national and global partners, we’re motivated to deliver social and economic value by driving sustainability and accessibility in space. We're helping to ensure the safety of spacecraft and enhancing mission planning by integrating SDA services with on-orbit activities such as active debris removal and end-of-life procedures.
Our mission is to build sovereign capability through the provision of data to protect and defend national interests and those of our allies, helping the UK become world leaders in space sustainability and ensuring the future use of space. We achieve this by providing trusted support to governments in the space domain, supporting the commercial space industry, and developing and innovating alongside academia.
NORSSTrack - Space Domain Awareness
Orbiting technology plays a fundamental role in every aspect of our lives. It helps us navigate from A to B, enables vital monitoring of climate events and provides governments and militaries with mission-critical data.
The dramatic increase in the number of satellites orbiting Earth has led to a congested environment. Developed specifically for space mission operations, our NORSSTrack SDA software maps the operational environment so that satellites can effectively evade fast-moving debris and neighbouring assets in orbit.
NORSSTrack Modules
Through NORSSTrack and our team of orbital analysts, we provide comprehensive SDA expertise in an operational environment, including:
The ability to visualise a comprehensive space picture quickly and easily through 2D aerial view maps and 3D globes.
In multiple formats, including industry standards such as CCSDS and US B3.
Customisable plotting of orbital elements.
Identification, calculations and alerts on manoeuvring objects, providing operational resilience against unexpected on-orbit behaviour.
Analysis of the collision probability to understand true risk.
Periodical monitoring of changes to orbital objects and new object identification.
Monte Carlo simulation of re-entries, producing probability distributions of potential re-entry locations and times. Complex simulations provide increased understanding compared to common re-entry analysis.
Simulations of fragmentation events and screening of simulated fragments to enable understanding of a resulting break-up event and its impact, aiding in the identification of culpability.
Ability to model ground-based and space-based sensors of multiple forms.
LOCI: Low-Earth Orbit Optical Camera Installation
LOCI is a powerful space domain awareness sensor system, developed in partnership with academia to tackle the challenges of LEO optical observation.
Designed, built and tested in the UK with the needs of the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) market in mind, the ground-based SDA sensor system uses bespoke Raytheon NORSS software to achieve a cost-effective, high-quality and easily deployable SST solution, providing critical data to global customers.
Deployed to five strategically chosen locations across the globe, LOCI increases the quantity and quality of data collected and enables deeper insights into what is happening with and around customer assets and the overall space environment.
LOCI routinely collects both positional and characterisation data on objects in LEO including defence assets, commercial spacecraft and space debris. This helps expand and improve the UK’s sovereign space domain awareness capabilities and distinguish changes in pattern of life that reflect their intent or operational status. This dual capability enables customers to act with increased understanding and confidence, aiding operators to keep assets in orbit safe from possible dangers, such as collision or fragmentation events.
Want to know more?
Airborne
Special mission aircraft
The Shadow R Mk1 tactical ISTAR solution provides Airborne ISR in support of UK and international operations. Raytheon UK continues to spirally develop the platform through an ongoing capability enhancement programme and provides in-service support. Raytheon UK is now under contract to develop and deliver the RAF’s Next-Generation Tactical ISTAR capability which includes eight Shadow R Mk2 aircraft, a new variant that will transform the capability of the platform. The aircraft is civil-certified by the Civil Aviation Authority and then released to service by the United Kingdom Military Aviation Authority.
Multi-mission aircraft
For Raytheon UK, the future of airborne solutions lies in the development of multi-mission solutions for airborne platforms that are not dedicated to single sensors or single capabilities, but which can overlay intelligence from multiple sensors to give the decision-maker a comprehensive overview of the battlespace.
Careers at Raytheon UK
Are you interested in engineering solutions to some of the worlds’ biggest problems? A career at Raytheon UK can provide you with a chance to work on purposeful projects that are helping make the world a safer place. Find out more.
View career opportunitiesKeep up to date
Follow the latest Raytheon UK news via our social media.
