This week, the Space Development Agency, supporting the United States Space Force Program Acquisition Executive for Missile Warning and Tracking, announced it had awarded two contracts with a total value of approximately $1.75 billion for additional Accelerated Missile Defense Tranche 3 (AMDT3) space vehicles. The platforms will aid in the sixth and newest branch of the U.S. military to proliferate missile warning, increase its missile tracking and missile defense sensors as part of the Tracking Layer for Tranche 3 of the ongoing Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
The awards, which were made to L3Harris Technologies and Sierra Space Corporation, support the still-in-development Golden Dome for America missile defense system, specifically its space-based capabilities. The contracts are for the delivery of a total of 36 space vehicles across four orbital planes.
One of the awards will be for 18 missile warning and missile tracking space vehicles, with the other for an additional 18 missile defense variant space vehicles.
Each aligns with the Program Acquisition Executive for Missile Warning and Tracking’s plans, which have called for a hybrid missile defense architecture that also pursues global “stereo coverage” and access to missile warning, missile tracking, and missile defense capabilities.
All of the space vehicles are expected to be available for launch by the end of 2028, the Space Development Agency confirmed.
“With these awards, SDA is accelerating the deployment of the Tracking Layer to provide the homeland, our deployed forces, and allies with global, persistent indications, detection, identification, warning, tracking, and defense against advanced and evolving missile threats,” said G.P. Sandhoo, Space Force Portfolio acquisition executive for Missile Warning and Tracking and SDA director. “AMDT3 expands upon SDA’s previous and current Tracking Layer generations — Tranches 1, 2 and 3 — marking another milestone in delivering a resilient, global missile warning, missile tracking, and missile defense capability.”
One Layer in a Multi-Layer Defense
The Golden Dome for America has called for a layered defense to protect the United States from ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles. Championed by the White House and Pentagon, the proposed architecture requires intercepting threats across multiple domains, including a space-based layer, a software and AI layer, and a ground-based layer. The new contracts from the Space Development Agency support the space-based layer, which also has several layers.
“The AMDT3 builds on the capabilities of SDA’s Tracking Layer with expanded coverage and greater access and initiates the accelerated proliferation of missile defense sensing in support of homeland defense and theater defense. Each AMDT3 space vehicle will be interoperable with all SDA Tranche 1, Tranche 2, and Tranche 3 space vehicles and will operate in an integrated fashion through a common ground system,” the Space Development Agency explained.
The SDA’s Tracking Layer will form a global constellation of missile warning, missile tracking, and missile defense satellites, equipped with infrared sensing payloads. These will further integrate with a low-latency communication network, and the satellites will provide mission data directly over tactical data links from low-Earth orbit.
Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensors
Fort Wayne, Indiana-based L3Harris Technologies was awarded a contract with a total potential value of approximately $955 million. It will deliver to the U.S. Space Force 18 hypersonic and ballistic tracking space sensors (HBTSS)-like defense variant SVs across two orbital planes.
“We are proud to provide next-generation technology that will accelerate the nation’s ability to defend against emerging threats from hypersonic and ballistic weapons,” said Christopher Kubasik, chairman and CEO of L3Harris. “As the industry’s Trusted Disruptor, L3Harris invested ahead of need by expanding production facilities and is ready to deliver missile defense satellites to support this national priority.”
The AMDT3 satellites will further enhance national security by detecting and tracking advanced missile threats.
The program will also support jobs in both Indiana and Florida, including at the company’s newly expanded space manufacturing facility in the Hoosier State and at its satellite integration facility in the Sunshine State.
“L3Harris’ continued work in Indiana will deliver the next generation of space-based tracking capabilities that we need to protect the homeland and stay ahead of our adversaries,” said Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind. “This is exactly the kind of industrial investment that strengthens deterrence.”
Missile Warning and Tracking
Sierra Space Corporation, based in Louisville, CO, was awarded a contract with a total potential value of up to $798 million. As the prime contractor and mission integrator, it will design, manufacture, and deliver 18 missile warning/missile tracking variant SVs across two orbital planes.
“This contract demonstrates Sierra Space’s capabilities as a formidable player in American national security,” said Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Sierra Space. “We’re honored to partner with SDA as a prime contractor to deliver on the nation’s space-based missions. By combining cutting-edge design and manufacturing systems with industrial depth and systems integration expertise, we’re able to move faster, manage risk better, and deliver more cost-effective solutions. AMDT3 is proof that our approach is working, and we’re just getting started.”
The 18 AMDT3 satellites will be based on Sierra Space Corporation’s Horizon spacecraft, one of three satellites in the Sierra Space Eclipse Satellite Family.
