The US Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded two separate contracts to L3 Harris Technologies, Inc. of Melbourne, Fla. and Northrop Grumman Strategic Space Systems of Redondo Beach, Calif. to each build and deploy a proliferated low-Earth orbit constellation of 14 satellites with infrared sensors.
The prototypes are set to provide global and persistent indications, detection, warning, tracking, and identification of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems. The SDA is looking at the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer satellite program to serve as “eyes in the sky” and provide the initial missile warning/missile tracking warfighting capability of the National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA).
Each agreement includes a launch services segment for launch preparation, and a ground segment for operations and sustainment.
The total contract has a potential value of USD 1.3 billion. Of this, the prototype agreement to L3 Harris has a potential value of about USD 700 million, while the one to Northrop Grumman Strategic Space Systems’ award is valued at approximately USD 617 million. The satellites will be ready for launch by April 2025.
“The T1 Tracking Layer effort is a critical step toward building the National Defense Space Architecture,” SDA Director Derek Tournear said in a statement. “SDA is confident that selection of the L3 Harris and Northrop Grumman teams provides the best overall solution to accelerate delivery of a low-Earth orbit constellation with wide-field-of-view infrared sensors for a global missile warning and missile tracking capability in Tranche 1, on schedule. I’m pleased to see our industry partners building the marketplace necessary to quickly deliver new space capabilities to the warfighter,” he added.
The Tranche 1 Tracking Layer builds upon the existing Tranche 0 Tracking Layer capabilities, but would have enhanced targeted technology and coverage, increased integration and production efficiencies. According to the SDA, the Tracking Layer is focused on developing a global constellation of infrared missile warning and missile tracking satellites that integrate with the Transport Layer’s low-latency meshed communication network, enabling conventional and advanced missile tracking from proliferated low-Earth orbit.
The agency has been provided with additional funding of USD 550 million this fiscal year by the Congress to accelerate deployment of the Tracking Layer, and demonstrate a space-based missile warning, tracking, and targeting capability in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The vision for the NDSA includes fielding a system that provides a resilient global capability to all combatant commands as rapidly and affordably as possible.
L3Harris has earlier developed four prototype satellites under the SDA’s Tracking Layer Tranche 0 award in 2020. The four space vehicles will launch in 2023.
“Investing in resilient space assets and acting as a Trusted Disruptor in this market are core to our long-term strategy,” said Christopher E. Kubasik, L3Harris Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “Our customers have been clear; missile defense technology and space domain awareness architecture must be diversified, and our teams are positioned to deliver those cutting-edge solutions.”
“This prime contract is a testament to our growing impact in the space community, and affirms our strategy of being a Trusted Disruptor is gaining traction,” he added.
“Northrop Grumman will provide an integrated space vehicle that will accelerate our nation’s ability to defend against the most pressing challenges in missile defense,” said Robert Fleming, Northrop’s Vice President and General Manager of the Strategic Space Systems Division. “T1TRK builds upon Northrop Grumman’s experience with T1TL and will demonstrate a capability to track advanced missile threats.”
Northrop Grumman also has earlier experience with the Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL). In May, it successfully completed a System Requirements Review for T1TL.
Once deployed in 2025, the T1TRK satellites will operate in up to four low-Earth orbital planes, interconnected with T1TL satellites. Each will feature a wide field-of-view infrared sensor, three optical communications terminals, and a Ka-band payload for communications.
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