U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded $615 million in Other Transaction Authority contracts for Space Based Airborne Moving Target Indication (SB-AMTI) to Rocket Lab, STR LLC, and a company unnamed by SSC for “operational security” reasons, the command said on Tuesday.
“Following the initial rapid-acquisition task order, this second task order zeroes in on two critical goals for the future of the SB-AMTI program: vendor base diversification, and the development and integration of multiple sensing technologies and disciplines,” SSC said.
SSC said its “approach fosters continuous, long-term competition, reduces supply chain constraints, and mitigates industrial risk” and that different sensing phenomenologies can “leverage distinct operational advantages across varied environmental conditions, geography, and threat environments.”
Rocket Lab on Tuesday evening said its award is worth $397 million and covers the development, launch and operation of multiple of its Flatellites, which are a “flat satellite design optimized for large constellations–with space-based sensors and low latency, high bandwidth communication links.” The Flatellites will be launched on Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket, which is expected to launch for the first time later this year.
The contract includes options for additional Flatellites, the company said.
Before going public in June, SpaceX received a nearly $4.2 billion contract for the initial fielding of SB-AMTI. In April, the Space Force said it had awarded nine firms, including SpaceX, small contracts for SB-AMTI development.
Last month, Space Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, the nominee to become the next chief of space operations, said that SB-AMTI was one of his top priorities.
