The Space Development Agency (SDA) – an arm of the U.S. Space Force – has added Rocket Lab National Security as the third contractor for the Beta version of its Tranche 2 transport layer, which is focused on developing a constellation of satellite communications for warfighters around the globe.
The vendor has received a $515 million prototype agreement to build and operate 18 satellites for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL), which will join the previously awarded 72 Beta satellites.
“We welcome Rocket Lab as the newest member of Team SDA and our third performer on the T2TL- Beta program,” said Derek Tournear, SDA director.
“Their selection as a new prime and bus provider demonstrates SDA’s dedication to our mission, which includes development of a growing, innovative marketplace necessary to sustain SDA’s proliferated architecture on two-year spirals,” said Tournear.
In August 2023, SDA signed two Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements – worth upwards of $1.5 billion – to help build 72 T2TL Beta variant space vehicles. The new deal will help increase the number to 90.
“Once completely fielded, Tranche 2 will provide global persistence for all capabilities in Tranche 1 plus demonstration of advanced tactical data links and future proliferated missions. The T2 constellation will consist of approximately 270 operational Transport and Tracking Layer satellites,” stated the SDA.
“The Transport Layer will be the space backbone for the Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) infrastructure with low-latency data transport, sensor-to-shooter connectivity, and TACSATCOM direct to platform,” the SDA concluded.
