L3Harris Technologies has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the development of 18 space vehicles for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer programme.
The PDR confirms that L3Harris’ space vehicles meet SDA’s development requirements, with the satellites designed to detect, track, and target hypersonic threats in real-time.
“L3Harris is committed to supporting SDA’s vision of a multi-layered missile tracking architecture with the space-based capabilities needed to track threats in real time,” said Ed Zoiss, President of Space and Airborne Systems at L3Harris.
“We completed the PDR milestone in just 11 months and have already received key flight subsystems for our Tranche 2 vehicles, which will provide SDA with an innovative solution against a continually evolving threat.”
In January 2024, L3Harris received a contract to design and build 18 space vehicles with infrared payloads for the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer.
This effort is part of L3Harris’ ongoing support of the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit that will enhance missile warning, tracking, and defence capabilities on a near-global scale.
L3Harris has previously been awarded multiple contracts under PWSA, including 38 satellites across Tranche 0, Tranche 1, and Tranche 2, with Tranche 0 satellites already operational in orbit. The company’s strategy also includes solutions for offensive and defensive hypersonic systems, contributing to both missile defence and advanced warhead technologies.
I think the UK should very much consider adding infra red missile tracking satellites to ISTARI, SSTL already demonstrated the technology and two satellites in heliocentric orbit can provide global coverage as the French have.
And if our UK infra red missile tracking satellites detected a launch, coming our way, how would we respond? What would we respond with? Discuss…
I recall reading a few years ago that the UK government brought a company, out of receivership, that specialised in LEO satellite technology. In might have been and Anglo-Indian company.
Does anyone recall that? If so, what happened to it?
I recall thinking at the time that was a bloody good strategic move.
It’s called One Web, they merged with EUTELSAT and the British government maintains a golden share. They have 600 satellites on orbit and are the only competitor to star-link operating at the moment. They focus more on artic traffic and commercial airlines than the domestic stuff star-link does.