After delay, Missile Defense Agency plans to conduct critical test for new long-range radar next year

After delay, Missile Defense Agency plans to conduct critical test for new long-range radar next year
After delay, Missile Defense Agency plans to conduct critical test for new long-range radar next year

The agency also plans to launch a new, discriminating space sensor around the 2029 timeframe, MDA Director Air Force Lt. Gen. Heath Collins said.

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SDA, MDA missile tracking demonstration payloads blast off

SDA, MDA missile tracking demonstration payloads blast off
SDA, MDA missile tracking demonstration payloads blast off

The agencies said in their joint announcement that the “launch of the two prototype systems will be followed by two years of on-orbit testing.”

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SDA’s latest Tracking Layer contract includes 6 ‘fire control’ sats

SDA’s latest Tracking Layer contract includes 6 ‘fire control’ sats
SDA’s latest Tracking Layer contract includes 6 ‘fire control’ sats

An SDA official explained that the six “preliminary fire control” satellites in Tracking Layer Tranche 2 will carry a mix of wide-field-of-view and medium-field-of-view infrared cameras.

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Missile Defense Agency requests $10.9B in FY24, and tens of billions more after that

Missile Defense Agency requests $10.9B in FY24, and tens of billions more after that
Missile Defense Agency requests $10.9B in FY24, and tens of billions more after that

One of MDA’s biggest investments in FY24 is for the Next Generation Interceptor, with $2.1 billion requested.

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After space tests, DoD to decide on hypersonic tracking sats in late ’23

After space tests, DoD to decide on hypersonic tracking sats in late ’23
After space tests, DoD to decide on hypersonic tracking sats in late ’23

The two Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) prototypes will launch in spring 2023, beginning several months of on-orbit testing.

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Missile Defense Agency asks Congress for $9.6B, then announces successful THAAD test

Missile Defense Agency asks Congress for $9.6B, then announces successful THAAD test
Missile Defense Agency asks Congress for $9.6B, then announces successful THAAD test

A THAAD system successfully launched a PAC-3 missile segment enhanced at White Sands Missile Range.

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Budget roadblock delaying Pentagon satellite program to track hypersonic missiles

Budget roadblock delaying Pentagon satellite program to track hypersonic missiles
Budget roadblock delaying Pentagon satellite program to track hypersonic missiles

A decision about whether to go forward this year with Tracking Layer Tranche 1 or wait until fiscal 2023 funds are available could happen “within the next few weeks,” said SDA Director Derek Tournear.

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Pentagon needs to prioritize hypersonic defense, not offense: CSIS

Pentagon needs to prioritize hypersonic defense, not offense: CSIS
Pentagon needs to prioritize hypersonic defense, not offense: CSIS

“You really need to worry about the tactical things. You really need to defend your surface ships, air bases, all that stuff,” NDIA’s Mark Lewis said.

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Space missile warning system to include MEO backup in case of attack: Tournear

Space missile warning system to include MEO backup in case of attack: Tournear
Space missile warning system to include MEO backup in case of attack: Tournear

Space Development Agency will soon issue a request for proposals for the first 28 of its own missile tracking satellites in Low Earth Orbit, the agency’s chief said.

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L3Harris streamlines with a focus on missile defense, space

L3Harris streamlines with a focus on missile defense, space
L3Harris streamlines with a focus on missile defense, space

The reorg eliminates the company’s Aviation Systems segment, which is responsible commercial aviation solutions, systems, networks and pilot training.

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Raytheon, Northrop, Lockheed to compete for hypersonic interceptor

Raytheon, Northrop, Lockheed to compete for hypersonic interceptor
Raytheon, Northrop, Lockheed to compete for hypersonic interceptor

The GPI is being developed to knock down hypersonic missiles as they glide through the Earth’s upper atmosphere at about 70 kilometers in altitude at speeds greater than Mach 5.

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