In a major milestone, L3Harris Technologies has reached full-scale production of advanced missile tracking satellites that will play a role in the defense of the U.S. and allied nations. Production is underway for two programs for the Space Development Agency (SDA) at the newly expanded L3Harris Satellite Integration and Test facility in Florida. The company has integrated the first eight Tranche 1 Tracking Layer satellites and completed the first Tranche 2 subsystems on schedule. These satellites are designed to provide near-global missile warning, tracking and defense, and are components for the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
“Our team is accelerating delivery of missile-defense satellites to meet national security needs,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “This satellite integration and test facility allows us to scale production, innovate quickly and support our customers with advanced space technology.”
The $100 million, 94,000-square-foot facility is now a hub for rapid satellite manufacturing and integration. It includes three high bays for parallel satellite production, secure clean rooms, and modular tools to boost speed and efficiency. The site works closely with the company’s Infrared Payload Integration and Test facility in Indiana, driving innovation and operational excellence.
L3Harris is developing 34 satellites for the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 programs and is also providing ground, operations and sustainment support. The Tranche 1 satellites feature infrared sensors and advanced algorithms to detect, track and fuse threat data. Tranche 2 builds on this foundation, adding fire-control-quality tracking for enhanced missile defense. Once deployed in low Earth orbit, these satellites will provide dense, multilayered coverage across multiple orbital planes.
Four L3Harris-built Tranche 0 demonstration satellites launched in February 2024, informing SDA’s spiral development approach. The company’s advanced infrared sensors and algorithms will enable real-time detection and tracking of emerging threats, including hypersonic missiles.
