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SDA awards $1.75B to L3Harris and Sierra Space for Tranche 3 Tracking Layer satellites

The U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded $955 million to L3Harris Technologies and $798 million to Sierra Space under fixed-price OTA rapid-prototyping contracts to build 36 Tracking Layer satellites in support of proliferated low Earth orbit missile warning and defense. The Tranche 3 satellites are targeted for delivery by end-2028.

Discovered 2026-07-13T14:19:46.091532-07:00 | 2026-07-13T14:19:46.091532-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • These contracts fund Tranche 3 of SDA’s Tracking Layer—an expansion of the U.S. proliferated LEO missile-warning and defense architecture needed to strengthen space-based detection for missions such as Golden Dome.
  • The awards provide scale and urgency: $1.75 billion total under fixed-price OTA rapid-prototyping contracts, with an end-2028 delivery target for 36 satellites.
  • The selections of L3Harris and Sierra Space indicate how SDA is distributing capability across prime roles for next-generation missile tracking and defense satellite production.

Reported By

Reuters arabiandefence.com Air & Space Forces Mag Seeking Alpha Via Satellite Defense Daily
Sources Tracked
9
First Seen
2026-07-13T14:19:46.091532-07:00
Latest Update
2026-07-13T16:29:39.281401-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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