$1.75 billion in SDA awards will fund 36 additional Tranche 3 satellites to speed U.S. missile warning, tracking and defense coverage from low Earth orbit.
L3Harris won about $955 million for 18 missile-defense satellites, while Sierra Space received $798 million for 18 missile-warning and tracking satellites, split across four orbital planes.
The spacecraft are due to be launch-ready by the end of 2028 and will interoperate with Tranche 1, 2 and 3 satellites through a common ground system.
The AMDT3 buy expands the Tracking Layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, supporting the Space Force's hybrid missile-defense network and Golden Dome for America.
Can America's new satellite shield outpace the growing threat of advanced Russian and Chinese anti-satellite weapons?
As the Pentagon bets on speed, can its contractors overcome integration hurdles that have plagued past satellite constellations?
With Golden Dome's cost projected at $1.2 trillion, is this advanced missile shield becoming an unaffordable necessity?
Building the Golden Dome: The $1.2 Trillion U.S. Space Missile Defense Ambition and Its Global Fallout
Overview
On July 13, 2026, the Space Development Agency awarded $1.75 billion in contracts to L3Harris Technologies and Sierra Space to build 36 satellites for the next phase of U.S. missile defense. This move is part of the "Golden Dome for America" strategy, which aims to quickly strengthen space-based defenses against advanced missile threats, especially hypersonic missiles. The new satellites will join the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, enhancing the nation’s ability to detect and track missiles. This step highlights the growing focus on space technology to protect the U.S. from evolving security challenges.