Rocket Lab, STR Win Space Force Contracts for Airborne-Target Tracking
Rocket Lab received $397 million as part of a broader package aimed at expanding the Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator program, officials said.
- On Tuesday, the U.S. Space Force awarded $615 million in contracts to Rocket Lab, Systems & Technology Research, and a third unnamed company to advance Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indication technology for tracking airborne threats from orbit.
- Traditional aircraft-based sensing platforms face increasing risks from advanced enemy anti-access and area-denial capabilities, prompting the Pentagon to initiate the SB-AMTI program for persistent orbital surveillance.
- Ryan Frazier, acting Space Force portfolio acquisition executive for Space-Based Sensing and Targeting, stated the agreements "explore unique innovations and technologies" while following a prior $4.16 billion SpaceX contract for the initial constellation.
- Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck said the company's vertically integrated capabilities position it to deliver "innovative solutions that meet the urgent needs of the Space Force." The third vendor's identity was withheld due to "operational security."
- The acquisition strategy aims to foster a competitive industrial base and accelerate development of adaptable sensing architectures, enabling the Space Force to rapidly iterate the constellation as requirements evolve and counter emerging airborne threats.
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The Toronto Star
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Space Force awards $615M in AMTI contracts
The Space Force awarded three companies a total of $615 million for Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indication, the service announced yesterday. Rocket Lab, STR and a third unnamed company received the firm-fixed-price Other Transaction Authority agreement, the second task order the service has awarded for SB-AMTI, according to Space Systems Command. The command says this order advances the goals of diversifying the vendor base and the devel…
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