The Space Development Agency (SDA), an arm of the U.S. Space Force, announced it has awarded contracts totaling approximately $2.5 billion to three companies for the construction and operation of 54 satellites designed to track hypersonic missiles in all phases of flight. These satellites will form the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer of the agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a layered network of hundreds of satellites intended to enhance missile warning and defense capabilities.
Photo By: Space Development Agency
L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, and Sierra Space were each awarded contracts to build and operate 18 satellites equipped with infrared sensors capable of detecting and tracking heat signatures of hypersonic missiles. The contracts, valued at $919 million for L3Harris, $890 million for Lockheed Martin, and $740 million for Sierra Space, include incentives for on-time delivery.
The satellites will operate in low Earth orbit, approximately 1,000 kilometers above the planet, providing a vantage point for comprehensive global missile tracking. Forty-eight of the satellites will be equipped with wide-field-of-view infrared sensors for initial detection and warning, while six will carry more sophisticated sensors capable of generating “fire control-quality tracks.” These high-fidelity tracks can be used to guide interceptor weapons with greater accuracy, enhancing the effectiveness of missile defense systems.
Each company’s satellites will employ unique technical details. Lockheed Martin plans to utilize Terran Orbital buses and infrared missile-tracking payloads provided by General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems. Sierra Space, a newcomer to SDA contracts, will build its satellites at its Colorado facilities, leveraging its experience with Dream Chaser spacecraft development.
The Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites are scheduled to launch in April 2027 and represent approximately half of the planned constellation of 100 satellites envisioned for the global system. This layer will integrate with the already in-development Transport Layer, a network of interconnected communications satellites responsible for transmitting data collected by the Tracking Layer.
The SDA emphasized the importance of industry participation in its rapid development model, noting that nine companies submitted bids for the Tranche 2 program. “The agile response across the space industry is critically important as we deliver to the warfighter this no-fail mission capability of missile warning, missile tracking, and missile defense,” stated SDA Director Derek Tournear.
For more information, hit the Source below