US Department of Defense Launches L3Harris Missile Tracking Satellites

February 14, 2024

Five missile tracking satellites L3Harris Technologies designed and built successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, as part of the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program and the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 0 (T0) Tracking Layer program. 

L3Harris’ HBTSS satellite is an on-orbit prototype demonstration that can track maneuvering hypersonic missiles flying beyond the range of today’s ballistic missile detection capabilities. The other four infrared satellites will support SDA’s Tracking Layer, which will demonstrate global indications, warning, tracking and targeting of advanced threats such as hypersonic missiles.

“Our advanced satellites on orbit will bring the integrated and resilient missile warning and defense capabilities the U.S. requires against adversaries developing more advanced maneuverable missiles,” said Christopher E. Kubasik, Chair and CEO. “L3Harris delivered this advanced missile tracking capability on behalf of MDA and SDA on orbit in just over three years after work was authorized to proceed. We are proud to be a critical part of the new space sensing architecture.”

This combined launch also supports SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture by integrating missile tracking and missile defense sensors. The Department of Defense will use a common set of data to adjust and modify the capabilities for the SDA’s Tranche 1 and 2 Tracking Layer constellation. Earlier this year, L3Harris received a $919 million contract to develop an 18-vehicle constellation for the SDA’s Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellite program.