The Space Force's Space Development Agency awarded $1.75 billion in contracts to L3Harris Technologies and Sierra Space on July 13 to build 36 missiles warning and tracking satellites for the Tracking Layer of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture constellation. L3Harris will build 18 satellites equipped with sensors similar to the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor for $955 million, while Sierra Space will build 18 for $798 million. The satellites are due for launch availability by end of 2028 and will expand the Pentagon's network of low Earth orbit spacecraft designed to detect, track, and defend against ballistic and hypersonic missile threats.
Both contractors are already part of the Tracking Layer program across multiple tranches. L3Harris has delivered four satellites in orbit and won contracts for 50 additional spacecraft across earlier tranches, bringing its total to 72. Sierra Space joined as a prime contractor in Tranche 2 with an initial 18-satellite award and now holds contracts for 36 total. The new satellites will operate through a common ground system and maintain interoperability with existing Tracking Layer spacecraft.