Northrop Grumman Corporation,  a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, has completed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for 74 high-speed data transport satellites for the Space Development Agency (SDA), including satellites that integrate advanced technology from an earlier generation of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), providing increased capabilities to U.S. Forces.  

• The 74 satellites include the Tranche 2 Beta and Tranche 2 Alpha configurations.
• Tranche 2 Beta satellites incorporate new communications technologies into the PWSA, including S-Band, Ultra High Frequency Satellite Communications and Integrated Broadcast Service, while the Tranche 2 Alpha satellites are a continuation of Northrop Grumman’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites awarded in 2022.

Blake Bullock, vice president, military space systems, Northrop Grumman: “Space Development Agency’s vision is to field critical capabilities at an extremely rapid pace, and Northrop Grumman continues to demonstrate that we are up to the challenge. As we move into detailed design for our Tranche 2 satellites, we’re executing and on-track with our Tranche 1 offerings and evaluating future opportunities with SDA programs. We are delivering on our commitments and are focused on helping SDA make the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture a success.”

Northrop Grumman is a leading contractor providing both space vehicles and ground systems for the SDA’s PWSA, a next-generation constellation in low-Earth orbit. PWSA includes two major lines of effort:

• The Tracking Layer: Designed to detect, track and ultimately target hypersonic and ballistic missiles.
• The Transport Layer: Provides global data and voice connectivity to U.S forces defending the homeland and operating around the world.

To date, SDA has awarded Northrop Grumman more than 130 satellites. Northrop Grumman successfully completed a Critical Design Review for its first generation Transport and Tracking Layer satellites last year and is now integrating space vehicles both in California, and at the Airbus factory in Florida.

Click here to learn more about SDA's Tranche 1 Transport Layer.