In a significant move for national defense space infrastructure, Terran Orbital announced its selection by Lockheed Martin to provide the foundational satellite buses for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 3 Tracking Layer (T3TRK). This contract reinforces Terran Orbital’s pivotal role in the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), the Pentagon’s ambitious multi-layered missile defense network in low Earth orbit.
Under this latest program, Lockheed Martin is tasked with delivering 18 advanced space vehicles dedicated to global missile warning, tracking, and defense. Terran Orbital will supply the core satellite bus platforms, which serve as the structural and operational backbone for these vehicles. The company’s flight-proven designs and high-rate manufacturing approach are critical to meeting SDA’s accelerated timeline for deploying a resilient, proliferated constellation.
The Tranche 3 Tracking Layer represents a major expansion of space-based sensing capabilities. It is designed to detect and track advanced threats, including hypersonic missiles, and provide fire-control-quality data to military assets globally. This selection marks the continuation of a trusted partnership; Terran Orbital has been a key bus supplier for Lockheed Martin across all prior SDA Tracking Layer tranches, including Tranche 0, 1, 2, and 2 Beta, contributing to successful on-orbit performance.
“Our selection for Tranche 3 validates the proven performance and reliability of our satellite platforms,” said Peter Krauss, President and CEO of Terran Orbital. “This sustained partnership across multiple tranches underscores a shared dedication to rapid delivery, mission assurance, and equipping the warfighter with next-generation capabilities.”
This award solidifies Terran Orbital’s standing as a leading manufacturer for the national security space community. It demonstrates the company’s capacity to support large-scale, proliferated constellations through vertically integrated manufacturing and a robust supply chain, directly aligning with SDA’s vision for a responsive and scalable space architecture. The program accelerates the deployment of a persistent global missile-tracking shield, a top priority for modern defense.
