SDA Seeks Industry Submissions to Accelerate Tranche 1 Tracking Layer to Address Conventional and Advanced Missile Threats

Updated Response Date: April 20, 2022

SDA has released a solicitation seeking industry submissions for Tracking Layer satellites as part of Tranche 1 of the National Defense Space Architecture. SDA will use an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototyping solicitation to accelerate delivery of the NDSA’s ultimate capability to provide global, persistent indications, warning, tracking, and identification of both conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems. This acceleration is funded by the fiscal year 2022 Defense appropriation.

SDA plans to buy approximately 28 Tracking Tranche 1 space vehicles that will fly in four highly-inclined planes, from up to two vendors. Broadly, The T1 Tracking Layer will expand upon the Tranche 0 Tracking Layer capabilities with targeted technology enhancements, expanded coverage, increased integration, established calibration processes, and greater production efficiencies.

The fiscal year 2022 priority mission partner is U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and the long-term vision is to field a system that provides a resilient global capability to all combatant commands as rapidly and affordably as possible.