BAE Systems said it completed the critical design review for the U.S. Space Force's $1.2 billion Medium Earth Orbit Epoch 2 program.

The company, which is the prime contractor on the space-based missile tracking system, said the CDR "verifies that the program design meets operational, performance and safety requirements and can advance to the next stage of production."

The review was completed on schedule, 14 months after BAE Systems received a contract for the program, the company said.

It will design and build 10 spacecraft for the program, as well as developing the ground system managing the satellite constellation.

"We're now able to fully engage our vertically integrated production capabilities as we guide the program with mission planning, payload and bus delivery, and operational command and control capabilities," said Thai Sheridan, general manager of military space for BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems.