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Leidos has been selected by Sierra Space to supply infrared sensing payloads, onboard signal-processing capabilities and mission support for the Accelerated Missile Defense Tranche 3 (AMDT3) Tracking Layer, part of the Space Development Agency’s proliferated low Earth orbit missile warning and tracking architecture.
Sierra Space will integrate Leidos’ payloads into 18 satellites designed to provide persistent detection and tracking of hypersonic and other advanced missile threats from low Earth orbit. The companies said they are combining proven satellite integration and flight-tested sensing technologies to field operational capability for a top national priority in missile defense.
“AMDT3 will build upon proven technologies to accelerate global missile defense capability,” said Cindy Gruensfelder, president of Leidos Defense. “Leidos has already demonstrated these technologies on orbit, and with Sierra Space, we will rapidly transition that proven capability into an operational missile defense constellation that will help protect the nation against advanced missile threats.”
Leidos said its payloads merge infrared sensing with onboard digital signal processing to generate mission-relevant tracking data directly on the satellite, reducing latency and getting actionable information to the warfighter more quickly. The company will also provide ground support equipment, mission expertise, operations support and sustainment.
The award extends Leidos’ role across SDA’s Tranche 0, 1 and 2 efforts. The company’s four Tranche 0 payloads have been operating on orbit since 2023, producing tracks of real-world events, and it is delivering 14 missile warning and tracking sensors for Tranche 1 and 16 for Tranche 2, plus two dedicated missile defense sensors for Tranche 2. As the tracking layer expands to increase global coverage and enhance missile defense capabilities, Leidos said its flight-proven technologies will support a resilient, proliferated sensing architecture for homeland defense, theater operations and the broader objectives of Golden Dome for America.
Leidos added that the AMDT3 award advances its NorthStar 2030 strategy by growing its position in space sensing, onboard digital processing and integrated national security technologies, continuing a shift from technology demonstration to operational missile defense capability.
The company cautioned that certain statements are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties described in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
