L3Harris, Sierra Space to build 36 satellites to expand U.S. missile-tracking network

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency awarded L3Harris Technologies and Sierra Space contracts totaling about $1.75 billion to build 36 missile-tracking satellites for the Accelerated Missile Defense Tranche 3 program, with launches planned by the end of 2028. L3Harris received $955 million for 18 satellites and Sierra Space $798 million for 18, expanding the Tracking Layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. The satellites will enhance missile detection and tracking capabilities, supporting the Pentagon’s low Earth orbit network against ballistic and hypersonic threats.