WASHINGTON — A missile-tracking satellite developed by L3Harris Technologies demonstrated its ability to track hypersonic missiles from space, giving the defense contractor a potential key advantage in the Golden Dome program directed by the Trump administration to bolster U.S. defenses against advanced aerial threats.
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) confirmed April 25 that L3Harris’ Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) satellite prototype met performance targets in tests. The agency launched two competing HBTSS demonstration satellites in February 2024 — one built by L3Harris and another by Northrop Grumman — but only the L3Harris satellite has satisfied program requirements, according to an MDA spokesperson.
“While a full assessment of proven payload performance has not yet been concluded, MDA can confirm that the L3Harris satellite is successfully demonstrating its primary functions,” the spokesperson told SpaceNews. “The Northrop Grumman satellite failed to meet established requirements.”
MDA awarded Northrop Grumman a $155 million contract and L3Harris a $121 million contract in January 2021 to develop HBTSS prototype satellites for the demonstration.
“We were pleased to partner with both L3Harris and Northrop Grumman on this important homeland missile defense capability and look forward to working with them in the future,” the MDA spokesperson said. “The rapid prototype process was designed for a fair but difficult challenge for the industry members involved … This entire effort represents a great lesson learned in the success and effectiveness of the rapid prototype process.”
EO calls for ‘acceleration’ of HBTSS
HBTSS is seen as a cornerstone technology in the Golden Dome program — a missile defense initiative launched by the Trump administration and formalized through executive order. The directive calls for the “acceleration of the deployment of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space…
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