Space Development Agency Issues Awards to Build 36 Accelerated Missile Defense Tracking Layer Satellites for Tranche 3 in Support of Golden Dome for America

Acceleration of missile warning/missile tracking and missile defense capabilities for Tracking Layer

July 13, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Space Development Agency (SDA), in support of the U.S. Space Force Program Acquisition Executive for Missile Warning and Tracking, today announced the award of two agreements, with a total value of approximately $1.75 billion, to field additional Accelerated Missile Defense Tranche 3 (AMDT3) space vehicles (SVs) to proliferate missile warning/missile tracking and missile defense sensors as part of the Tracking Layer for Tranche 3 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).

The two awards are for the delivery of 36 SVs across four orbital planes – one award for 18 missile warning/missile tracking variant SVs and one award for 18 missile defense variant SVs. These awards align with the Program Acquisition Executive for Missile Warning and Tracking’s plans for a hybrid missile defense architecture to pursue global stereo coverage and access of missile warning/missile tracking and missile defense capabilities. The SVs are expected to be available for launch by the end of 2028.

“With these awards, SDA is accelerating the deployment of the Tracking Layer to provide the homeland, our deployed forces, and allies with global, persistent indications, detection, identification warning, tracking, and defense against advanced and evolving missile threats,” said GP Sandhoo, Space Force Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Missile Warning and Tracking and SDA Director. “AMDT3 expands upon SDA’s previous and current Tracking Layer generations —Tranches 1, 2 & 3 — marking another milestone in delivering a resilient, global missile warning, missile tracking, and missile defense capability”

The AMDT3 award supports Golden Dome for America’s space-based capabilities and the United States Space Force will be responsible for future operations and sustainment. The firm-fixed price other transaction authority prototype agreements are to be delivered by and include:

• L3Harris Technologies, Inc., Fort Wayne, Indiana, is awarded an agreement with a total potential value of approximately $955 million to provide 18 Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS)-like missile defense variant SVs across two orbital planes.

• Sierra Space Corporation, Louisville, Colorado, is awarded an agreement with a total potential value of $798 million to provide 18 missile warning/missile tracking variant SVs across two orbital planes.

The AMDT3 builds on the capabilities of SDA’s Tracking Layer with expanded coverage and greater access, and initiates the accelerated proliferation of missile defense sensing in support of homeland defense and theater defense. Each AMDT3 SV will be interoperable with all SDA Tranche 1, Tranche 2, and Tranche 3 SVs and will operate in an integrated fashion through a common ground system.

SDA’s Tracking Layer forms a global constellation of missile warning/missile tracking and missile defense satellites, equipped with infrared sensing payloads, that will integrate with a low-latency communication network. These satellites will provide mission data directly over tactical data links from low-Earth orbit.

The Tracking Layer is integrated into the U.S. Space Force’s holistic hybrid missile warning/missile tracking/missile defense architecture in support of joint force operations and delivering warfighting capabilities.

About the Space Development Agency. As an integral part of the U.S. Space Force, SDA is recognized as a constructive disruptor for space acquisition. SDA will accelerate delivery of needed space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through development, fielding, and operation of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. For more information on SDA, contact USSF.SDA.Outreach@mail.mil or visit https://www.sda.mil.

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