Sierra Space has successfully completed the first nine satellite structures for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer (T2TRK), a milestone achieved three months early. This delivery represents the first half, or “Plane 1,” of an 18-satellite contract for the critical missile warning and tracking constellation.
The achievement validates the company’s investment in its high-rate manufacturing facility, Victory Works, and demonstrates its ability to meet demanding defense program timelines with precision. Erik Daehler, Senior Vice President of Sierra Space Defense, credited the accelerated progress to scalable infrastructure and a dedicated team, stating the early completion is a “powerful validation of our investment.”
With the satellite structures finished, the program now moves into the Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AI&T) phase for Plane 1. Concurrently, Sierra Space has begun manufacturing the structures for the second set of nine satellites, known as Plane 2. The full 18-satellite suite will be equipped with advanced infrared sensors designed to detect and track emerging ballistic and hypersonic missile threats.
Company leadership emphasized the program’s strategic importance. “We believe the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer will provide unmatched missile tracking capabilities,” Daehler said, reaffirming Sierra Space’s commitment to meeting subsequent milestones with speed.
Looking ahead, Sierra Space is already preparing to support future, more advanced needs. “We are scaling our production capabilities and advancing our detection technologies, including the next generation of fire-control missile defense sensors,” said John Wagner, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. This positions the company to address the Department of Defense’s evolving requirements for integrated missile defense.
The T2TRK program is part of a larger SDA architecture. The broader Tranche 2 Tracking Layer will eventually consist of 54 satellites, which will integrate with a separate communications Transport Layer. Once fully deployed, the combined Tranche 2 constellation will include approximately 270 operational satellites in low-Earth orbit, creating a resilient, global network for missile tracking and defense.
