L3Harris, Sierra Space to build 36 satellites to expand U.S. missile-tracking network
The U.S. Space Force has awarded contracts to L3Harris and Sierra Space to construct 36 satellites for a new missile-tracking network.
📍 Aftermath
The US Space Force awarded contracts to L3Harris and Sierra Space to build 36 satellites for the Accelerated Missile Defense Tracking Layer, also known as the Golden Dome missile shield. The contracts, valued at $955 million and $798 million, were issued by the Space Development Agency to support the expansion of the US missile-tracking network. The story quieted without further developments reported.
Epilogue added 43d ago, after coverage quieted.
Sources (7)
- US Space Force turns to satellite to track hypersonic missiles Interesting Engineering · 46d ago
- Colorado’s Sierra Space lands pivotal $798 million ‘Golden Dome’ defense contract The Denver Post · 46d ago
- L3Harris wins U.S. Space Force contract for 18 missile-tracking AMDT3 satellites Seeking Alpha · 46d ago
- Space Development Agency Issues Awards to Build 36 Accelerated Missile Defense Tracking Layer Satellites for Tranche 3 in Support of Golden Dome for America sda.mil · 46d ago
- L3Harris gets $955 million US contract to supply 18 satellites for Golden Dome missile shield Reuters · 46d ago
- SDA Awards Contracts for 36 Golden Dome Missile Tracking Satellites Air & Space Forces Magazine · 46d ago
- L3Harris, Sierra Space to build 36 satellites to expand U.S. missile-tracking network SpaceNews · 46d ago broke it first
The story so far
The Space Development Agency has issued awards for the construction of 36 satellites designated for the 'Golden Dome' missile defense project. These satellites are intended to form an Accelerated Missile Defense Tracking layer, specifically tasked with identifying and tracking hypersonic missiles. Coverage from outlets including Reuters, The Denver Post, and SpaceNews highlights that L3Harris will supply 18 of the satellites under a $955 million contract.
Sierra Space is also involved in the project, having secured a $798 million contract. These details were further confirmed by official releases from the Space Development Agency and reporting by Air & Space Forces Magazine and Interesting Engineering. Future developments will involve the manufacturing and integration of these assets into the Tranche 3 defense layer.
Coverage does not yet specify the timeline for the satellites' deployment or full operational capability.
Synthesized by Newsylist from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 43d ago.
The obvious questions
Which companies received contracts?
The Space Development Agency awarded contracts to L3Harris and Sierra Space.
What is the purpose of the satellites?
The satellites are part of the Accelerated Missile Defense Tracking layer, designed to track hypersonic missiles.
What is the name of the program?
The initiative is referred to as the Golden Dome missile shield project.
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