News

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded two prototype agreements worth approximately .5 billion to Northrop Grumman Space Systems and Lockheed Martin Corp. The agreements are for the construction and operation of the Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) – Beta variant prototype constellation. The constellation will consist of 72 satellites and will serve as the foundation for Tranche 2 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

The firm-fixed priced Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements require each company to build and operate 36 T2TL – Beta prototype constellation satellites, which will be deployed in three orbital planes with 12 satellites each. The first plane is expected to be ready for launch by September 2026.

The T2TL – Beta space vehicles will provide global communications access and deliver persistent global encrypted connectivity. This will support missions such as beyond line of sight targeting, missile warning, and missile tracking of advanced missile threats.

Derek Tournear, SDA director, stated that the procurement phase for Tranche 2 of the PWSA is now underway, aiming for delivery in 2026. Tranche 2 will enhance the capabilities of Tranche 1 by adding advanced tactical data links and future proliferated missions. The Beta variant of the Tranche 2 Transport Layer vehicles will integrate advanced tactical communication technology demonstrated by the Tranche 1 Development and Experimentation System (T1DES).

The PWSA Transport Layer will provide global communications access and persistent encrypted connectivity for warfighter missions. It will serve as the space backbone for the Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) infrastructure, offering low-latency data transport, sensor-to-shooter connectivity, and tactical satellite communication (TACSATCOM) direct-to-platform.

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