L3Harris secures a contract for tracking satellites

The Space Development Agency awarded Millennium Space a $414 million contract to develop advanced satellite tracking technology.

On May 2, L3Harris announced that it had signed a deal with Millennium Space Systems to provide vital sensor technologies for an eight-satellite constellation that will be built for the Space Development Agency of the U.S. Space Force. 

On April 30, the SDA announced that it had awarded a $414 million contract to Boeing's subsidiary, Millennium Space, for the construction of eight satellites. These satellites will be equipped with state-of-the-art optical and infrared sensors, ensuring top-notch performance.

The purpose of the satellites is to demonstrate technologies for a network of low-earth orbit satellites known as the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, which is being developed by SDA. The program is called Fire-control On Orbit-support-to-the-war Fighter (FOo Fighter). 

The Foo Fighter satellites are a crucial component of the Pentagon's comprehensive missile defense system. The advanced satellites will be crucial for testing new sensor technology that can accurately identify and monitor hypersonic missile threats. The Foo Fighter satellites will lead in protecting our nation from evolving threats.

L3Harris has announced that the satellites are part of a new and independent program designed to track specific threats that the current tracking constellation cannot detect. 

With L3Harris' extensive experience supplying advanced electro-optical infrared sensors and payloads for various U.S. military and intelligence satellites, including the SDA's Tracking Layer program within the broader Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, it's no surprise that the company decided to provide Millennium with a payload.