L3Harris's proliferated low-Earth-orbit missile-tracking satellites, built for the Space Development Agency's Tracking Layer, use infrared sensors with onboard real-time processing to detect and track advanced missile threats including maneuvering hypersonics.
SDA Tracking Layer Missile-Tracking Satellites
L3Harris's proliferated low-Earth-orbit missile-tracking satellites, built for the Space Development Agency's Tracking Layer, use infrared sensors with onboard real-time processing to detect and track advanced missile threats including maneuvering hypersonics.
Description
L3Harris's flagship space hardware line is its family of infrared missile-tracking satellites built for the U.S. Space Development Agency's Tracking Layer, part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. The satellites carry infrared sensor payloads with onboard, real-time processing algorithms designed to detect, track, and provide fire-control-quality data on advanced missile threats, including maneuvering hypersonic weapons and traditional ballistic missiles. L3Harris is the only contractor selected for every SDA Tracking Layer tranche awarded to date and also leads the related HBTSS (Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor) demonstrator for the Missile Defense Agency. Flight heritage includes four Tranche 0 demonstration satellites launched February 14, 2024 and now on orbit; 16 Tranche 1 satellites in production; 18 Tranche 2 satellites (critical design review completed December 2024); and 18 Tranche 3 satellites awarded in December 2025 under an $843 million contract. Satellites are built and integrated at L3Harris's 94,000-square-foot Satellite Integration and Test facility in Palm Bay, Florida.
Specifications
| Program/architecture | SDA Tracking Layer, Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture |
|---|---|
| Sensor type | Infrared sensors with onboard real-time data processing algorithms |
| Flight heritage | Tranche 0: 4 satellites launched Feb 14, 2024, on orbit; Tranche 1: 16 satellites in production; Tranche 2: 18 satellites, CDR completed Dec 2024; Tranche 3: 18 satellites awarded Dec 2025 |
| Related demonstrator program | HBTSS for the Missile Defense Agency |
| Key customers | Missile Defense Agency, Space Development Agency, U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command |
| Manufacturing facility | 94,000 sq ft Satellite Integration and Test facility, Palm Bay, Florida |
| Tranche 3 contract value | Up to $843 million (December 2025) |