APOGEE STAFF
The Space Development Agency (SDA) is laying the groundwork to enlarge the military’s defense satellite constellation known as the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The agency has notified satellite manufacturers of its aim to solicit 200 satellites in 2025. The satellites, forming Tranche 3 of the architecture, would include upgrades over current Tranche 1 and 2 satellites.
An arm of the U.S. Space Force, the SDA develops and deploys next-generation systems to help the military detect and counter advanced threats, including hypersonic missiles. It works closely with manufacturers to deliver systems at a rate faster and more cost-efficient than traditional procurement programs.
The PWSA was designed to aid in battle management decisions, communications, missile defense and navigation. In a demonstration of the architecture, the agency launched 27 satellites into orbit in 2023. It now plans to launch another 300 to 400 satellites to fill out Tranches 1 and 2 over the next few years. If all goes according to plan, Tranche 3 would deploy in 2028, with many of the satellites replacing the most senior Tranche 1 spacecraft nearing the end of their operational lives.
The agency said its focus for Tranche 3 will be to field satellites with more advanced capabilities, rather than replicate current designs, according to SpaceNews. “At the end of Tranche 3, we will begin decommissioning Tranche 1 satellites,” SDA Director Derek Tournear told the news site, adding that Pentagon officials have approved the requirements for Tranche 3 to permit the solicitations to go forward in 2025. The Tranche 3 procurement will consist of 140 satellites for the Transport Layer — to process high-speed communications — and 54 satellites for the Tracking Layer to detect advanced threats, such as hypersonic missiles.
Among the upgrades would be enhanced satellite communications to enable more simultaneous users, including those that rely on the S-band for tactical communications; more sensitive infrared sensors for missile tracking and defense; and improved Link 16 encryption to enhance security of data transmissions. The SDA anticipates having at least 10 missile defense satellites on orbit by 2028.