The awards support Golden Dome for America’s space-based capabilities and are tied to the U.S. Space Force’s broader hybrid missile warning, tracking and defense architecture. SDA said the new satellites are expected to be available for launch by the end of 2028.
The 36 space vehicles will be deployed across four orbital planes. L3Harris will build 18 missile defense variant satellites, while Sierra Space will build 18 missile warning and missile tracking variant satellites.
L3Harris, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, received an agreement with a total potential value of about $955 million. Its satellites will be Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor-like missile defense variants placed across two orbital planes.
Sierra Space, based in Louisville, Colorado, received an agreement with a total potential value of $798 million. Its award covers 18 missile warning and missile tracking variant space vehicles across two orbital planes.
“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 GP 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 & 3 — marking another milestone in delivering a resilient, global missile warning, missile tracking, and missile defense capability”
SDA said the awards are intended to support global stereo coverage and access for missile warning, missile tracking and missile defense missions. The agency said the agreements also begin the accelerated expansion of missile defense sensing for homeland defense and theater defense.
Each AMDT3 satellite will be interoperable with SDA Tranche 1, Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 space vehicles. The satellites will operate through a common ground system and are intended to function as part of an integrated architecture.
The Tracking Layer is designed as a global constellation of satellites equipped with infrared sensing payloads. SDA said the system will connect to a low-latency communications network and send mission data directly from low-Earth orbit over tactical data links.
L3Harris said its AMDT3 satellites will enhance national security by detecting and tracking advanced missile threats. The company said the spacecraft will carry medium-field-of-view payloads designed to provide fire control quality data for missile defense.
“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.”
“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, 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.”
L3Harris said it will immediately begin manufacturing the satellites for delivery and launch. The company cited its expanded space manufacturing facility in Indiana and a new satellite integration facility in Florida as part of its production capacity.
The award builds on the on-orbit demonstration of an L3Harris Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor satellite and infrared sensor payload developed for the Missile Defense Agency. L3Harris said it has more than 70 missile tracking and defense satellites on order, including five on orbit, across the Missile Defense Agency’s HBTSS program and SDA Tracking Layer Tranches 0, 1, 2 and 3.
The U.S. Space Force will be responsible for future operations and sustainment of the AMDT3 satellites. SDA said the Tracking Layer is intended to support joint force operations and deliver space-based warfighting capabilities through a resilient missile warning, tracking and defense architecture.
