The order is part of the SDA Tranche 2 Tracking Layer constellation. The Agency also selected L3Harris and Sierra Space to build and operate 54 satellites overall

The US Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract with a potential value of €817 ($890) million to build 18 space vehicles as part of its Tranche 2 Tracking Layer constellation.

The satellites will be part of SDA’s Tranche 2 Tracking Layer, a network of satellites in low orbit 1,000 kilometres above Earth. Along with Lockheed Martin, the Space Development Agency has selected L3Harris and Sierra Space to build and operate a total of 54 satellites equipped with infrared sensors capable of tracking hypersonic missiles in all phases of flight. The contract awarded to L3Harris is worth €844 ($919) million.

Lockheed Martin will provide 16 wide field-of-view missile warning/missile tracking space vehicles with infrared sensors and two space vehicles with missile defence infrared sensors that can generate fire control-quality tracks to provide preliminary missile defence mission capabilities.

The T2 Tracking Layer will accelerate the capability to deliver global and persistent indications, detection, warning, tracking, and identification of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems. By incorporating fire control quality sensors in the constellation, it will also provide preliminary missile defence capability.

“As missile threats increase from around the world, we fully support the proliferated space architecture the SDA is building to protect our nation and allies,” said Michael Correia, Vice President of Warning Programs at Lockheed Martin Space. “We’ve made a significant investment in digital and production technologies, and with our experience supporting SDA spacecraft, we’re looking forward to delivering the next level of capability.”

Each Lockheed Martin-built T2 Tracking Layer satellite will incorporate a Terran Orbital bus and an infrared missile tracking payload provided by General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems – Optical Sensor Systems. The satellites will also be equipped with SmartSat, Lockheed Martin’s software platform that makes it easier to dynamically add and quickly change missions in orbit through simple application uploads.

Lockheed Martin is also leveraging its proven Horizon Command & Control and Compass Mission Planning software on both of the SDA’s missions, enabling mission-critical capabilities – including orbit management, autonomous operations and formation flying – for small, medium or large constellations.