SDA’s data relay, missile tracking networks to be operational by end of 2025: Tournear
"By the end of next year, we'll have 126 Link 16 satellites that are operational on orbit," said SDA Director Derek Tournear.
SDA requests nearly $4.3B for FY25, slight drop from last year
SDA is asking for $357 million for FY25 launch services, down from the nearly $530 million in FY24. Those funds would pay to manifest four planned launches of the Tranche 2 Transport Layer satellites in 2027.
Space Force takes ‘acceptable’ cut to $29.4B in FY25 budget request
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall explained that the "small decrease in the number for the Space Force" isn't itself quite reflective of reality, as there are mitigating circumstances that lessen the blow.
‘Real threat’: Budget impasse drags down 2 key satellite solicitations, more programs at risk
“We need a budget to be able to continue to fund this,” said Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear. “We always assume there will be a continuing resolution for a few months, but not six to 12.”
SDA, MDA missile tracking demonstration payloads blast off
The agencies said in their joint announcement that the "launch of the two prototype systems will be followed by two years of on-orbit testing."
GEOST to provide Sierra Space missile tracking/fire control payloads for SDA effort
While GEOST has made infrared sensors for classified systems in the ones and twos, the new contract will involve building infrared sensors designed to be used in a larger constellation, LightRidge CEO Bill Gattle told Breaking Defense.
SDA’s latest Tracking Layer contract includes 6 ‘fire control’ sats
An SDA official explained that the six "preliminary fire control" satellites in Tracking Layer Tranche 2 will carry a mix of wide-field-of-view and medium-field-of-view infrared cameras.
DoD needs near-term, ‘persistent’ INDOPACOM hypersonic missile tracking: CSIS
"The key word here is persistence," study author Masao Dahlgren told Breaking Defense. "How do we get persistence over the regions we care about? That hasn't been as explicitly put into prior work until now. This report puts into sharp relief."
Pentagon efforts challenged by ‘immature’ hypersonics tech, supply chain
Despite the current supply chain obstacles, the Army is confident it can fully field the first Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) units by the end of this calendar year, said Chris Mills of the service's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office.
GEOST sensors to detect interference will fly on SDA satellites
The company also is providing a ground system for the sensors that could provide data about interference threats to users across the Defense Department and Intelligence Community, said Josh Hartman of GEOST's parent firm.
SDA steps toward global hypersonic missile tracking, plus new targeting capability
SDA plans to purchase and deploy a minimum of 54 space vehicles equipped with infrared sensors from up to three vendors under the new solicitation for Tranche 2 of its Tracking Layer constellation.
SDA launches 13 more Tranche 0 data relay, missile tracking sats for ‘warfighter immersion’
While SDA plans to use lasers to connect its hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit to each other and to the ground, that technology remains in its infancy.
SDA racing ahead with new, US-based satellite ground stations, could meet hiccup abroad
SDA Director Derek Tournear also shed some more light on the agency's new, highly secretive FOO Fighter program to develop new fire control quality tracking satellites.
A Space Force dozen: SpaceX, ULA awarded contracts to launch 12 new satellites
Spy satellites, classified payloads among the newly scheduled launches.
Congressional concern re-emerges on fate of MDA’s hypersonic missile tracking sensors
"I am concerned about the transition of HBTSS from the Missile Defense Agency to the Space Development Agency. The apparent shift in strategy to deploy this capability does not reflect the urgency of the hypersonic threats we face," Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., chairman of the House Armed Service's strategic forces subcommittee, told Breaking Defense.