SDA allocates $424M for 20 Gamma Variant satellites for Tranche 2

Written by Copernical Team Thursday, 22 August 2024 19:46

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Write a comment

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 20, 2024

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded two prototype agreements valued at around $424 million to construct and operate 20 Gamma variant space vehicles for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL). These satellites will enhance the demonstration of advanced tactical satellite communication (TACSATCOM) capabilities during the Tranche 2 phase and into the future. York Space Systems, based

SDA Allocates $424M for 20 Gamma Variant Satellites in Tranche 2 Transport Layer
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 20, 2024

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded two prototype agreements valued at around $424 million to construct and operate 20 Gamma variant space vehicles for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL). These satellites will enhance the demonstration of advanced tactical satellite communication (TACSATCOM) capabilities during the Tranche 2 phase and into the future.

York Space Systems, based in Denver, and Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc., from Irvine, California (a Terran Orbital Corporation), have each been tasked with building and operating 10 T2TL Gamma variant prototype satellites. The delivery for launch is slated to commence by the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2027.

"With these T2TL Gamma awards, we are closing out the hardware procurement phase for Tranche 2 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture to support delivery beginning in 2026 to achieve our full warfighting capability," said Derek Tournear, SDA director. "The T2TL Gamma space vehicles will demonstrate global communications access and operationalize persistent global encrypted connectivity to support missions like beyond line of sight targeting."

The agreements, granted under the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) solicitation SDA-PS-24-02, included eight proposals. The York agreement (FA24012490067) is valued at approximately $170 million, while the Tyvak agreement (FA24012490066) is valued at roughly $254 million. SDA is the agreement holder for both contracts. Notably, this is the first time Tyvak (a Terran Orbital Corporation) will act as a prime vendor for SDA.

The Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) consists of various space vehicle and mission configuration variants, procured through a multi-solicitation and multi-vendor strategy. The PWSA Transport Layer will serve as the space backbone for the Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) infrastructure, offering multi-band global communications access and persistent encrypted connectivity, including low-latency data transport, sensor-to-shooter connectivity, and direct TACSATCOM to platforms.