The Space Development Agency has awarded contracts totaling $1.75 billion to L3Harris Technologies and Sierra Space to build 36 satellites for missile warning, tracking, and targeting in support of the Pentagon’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative.
Faster Deployment Targeted for 2028
The new satellites, designated Accelerated Missile Defense Tranche 3 (AMDT3) space vehicles, are required to be launch-ready in 2028 — the year President Donald Trump has set as the operational deadline for Golden Dome. This timeline is two years earlier than the previous Tranche 3 Tracking Layer awards, which are scheduled for 2029.
Contract Breakdown Between the Two Companies
L3Harris received a contract worth up to $955 million to deliver 18 missile defense variant satellites equipped with HBTSS-like sensors across two orbital planes. Sierra Space was awarded up to $798 million for 18 missile warning and tracking variant satellites, also distributed across two orbital planes. These platforms will provide both wide-area detection and high-precision targeting data.
Goal: Persistent Global Coverage and Fire-Control Quality Data
SDA Director Gurpartap Sandhoo stated that the awards will accelerate the Tracking Layer to deliver global, persistent indications, detection, warning, tracking, and defense against advanced missile threats. Satellites with wide field-of-view infrared sensors will detect launches across large areas, while medium field-of-view sensors on the defense variants will generate the precise data needed for interceptor targeting.
Significant Company Investments in Advanced Technology
Both contractors have made substantial private investments to support these programs. Sierra Space has committed $1.5 billion toward scaling its missile defense infrastructure, while L3Harris has funded upgrades to its HBTSS sensor technology. The companies are leveraging 8K focal plane arrays developed for earlier tranches, combining them with advanced software to achieve the high-resolution tracking required for fire-control applications.
