The Space Development Agency awarded approximately $3.5 billion in contracts on December 19, 2025 to four companies for 72 missile-tracking satellites — the next phase of a low-Earth-orbit constellation built to detect and track advanced missile threats. Each prime builds 18 satellites. Coverage from SpaceNews, Air & Space Forces Magazine, and SDA.
The award split
| Prime | Award | Satellites |
|---|---|---|
| Lockheed Martin | $1.1 billion | 18 |
| L3Harris Technologies | $843 million | 18 |
| Rocket Lab USA | $805 million | 18 |
| Northrop Grumman | $764 million | 18 |
| Total | $3.5B | 72 |
What each satellite carries
- Infrared sensor (primary missile-tracking payload)
- Optical communications terminal
- Ka-band communications payload
- S-band backup telemetry/tracking/command
72 satellites deploy across 8 orbital planes; launches scheduled FY29.
What this signals
Rocket Lab's inclusion at $805M is the company's largest defense win — confirming SDA's commitment to a multi-vendor, non-traditional-friendly procurement model. General Atomics will deliver IR payloads under Lockheed's prime contract, opening a Tier-2 supply path for specialty payload firms.
What to do
- IR sensor specialists: General Atomics-Lockheed teaming is the precedent — pursue similar payload subcontracts under the four primes
- Optical-communications firms: 72 OCTs is meaningful subsystem volume
- Ground-system and integration firms: Tracking Layer requires extensive ground infrastructure