"Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman secure $1.5B contract for SDA's satellite network"

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin a combined $1.5 billion contract to build and operate 72 satellites for the SDA's low Earth orbit (LEO) data relay constellation. The satellites, part of the Transport Layer, will enable high-speed, low-latency data transmission and communications. Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin will each supply 36 satellites, known as the "Beta variant," which will feature optical intersatellite links and a UHF Tactical Satellite Communications downlink. The Transport Layer is a key component of the Pentagon's Joint All Domain Command and Control plan, and the satellite constellation is part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.