SDA Selects Lockheed, Northrop to Build Tranche 2 Transport Layer Beta Satellites

Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman will each develop and deliver 36 beta satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer. The Space Development Agency awarded Lockheed an $816 million contract and Northrop a $733 million contract to build the satellites, which are expected to launch beginning September 2026.

PWSA’s T2TL segment will provide warfighters with global communications access and persistent regional encrypted connectivity, the SDA said.

In a press release, Northrop said its T2TL beta spacecraft, featuring new broadcast and tactical communications capabilities, will be an updated version of its Tranche 1 Transport Layer and Tranche 1 Tracking Layer satellite models. Northrop is under contract with the SDA to deliver 42 T1TL and 14 T1TRK satellites. Recently, the company passed a critical design review for its T1TL concept.

With the new SDA award, Lockheed will deliver to the agency 88 data communications satellites for PWSA, including Tranche 0 and Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites. The defense contractor said it will perform satellite assembly, integration and testing at its newly opened small satellite processing center in Colorado.

The agency, meanwhile, plans to select companies that will supply up to 100 satellites for T2TL’s alpha portion. According to solicitation documents, the SDA expects to announce contract awardees on Oct. 16.