WASHINGTON — The Space Development Agency is gearing up for its next procurement of satellites for a military communications network known as the Transport Layer Tranche 2.
SDA, an agency under the U.S. Space Force, plans to acquire 20 satellites carrying a new type of payload to transmit targeting information. SDA documents describe the payload, dubbed Warlock, as a communications node “specifically designed to close future kill chains.”
Unlike other payloads acquired by SDA, which are commercially available, Warlock will have to be developed “for space systems to provide fire control solutions.”
The description suggests the Gamma satellite program is pursuing advanced data-relay technologies to reduce sensor-to-shooter timelines, or the crucial flow of information in modern military operations, which requires real-time intelligence and rapid decision-making.
The new procurement is called Transport Layer Tranche 2 Gamma. The agency on Jan. 10 announced it is holding a classified briefing for contractors next month in Chantilly, Virginia, to discuss details of the program.
According to a draft solicitation, SDA intends to select one vendor to supply all 20 Tranche 2 Gamma satellites. A final request for proposals is expected to be released this spring.
Proliferated tactical network
The agency is building a large mesh network of military satellites in low Earth orbit known as the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. The Transport Layer will serve as a tactical network to move data to users around the world.
SDA has already ordered 190 satellites for the portion of the architecture known as the Transport Layer Tranche 2 — 100 “Alpha” satellites to be manufactured by Northrop Grumman and York Space Systems, and 90 “Beta” satellites to be produced by Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Rocket Lab USA.
The agency said all Transport Layer satellites will have at least three optical laser…
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