US Space Force awards $615M in AMTI contracts to Rocket Lab, STR, and unnamed firm to diversify beyond SpaceX

Published Aug 6, 04:00 PM UTC

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The U.S. Space Force has awarded three new contracts totaling $615 million to Rocket Lab, STR, and an unnamed company to develop space-based airborne moving target indicator (AMTI) satellites. This move is intended to reduce reliance on SpaceX, which received a $4.16 billion contract two months prior for the same capability. Colonel Ryan Frazier emphasized the need for diversification and exploring unique innovations. The push for space-based AMTI gained urgency after an E-3 Sentry AWACS was heavily damaged during the Iran war. Rocket Lab received the largest portion ($397 million) to build and launch its 'Flatellites' for large constellations. The contracts are firm-fixed-price other-transaction authority agreements. SpaceX CEO Gwynne Shotwell acknowledged the competition, viewing the awards as additional capability tranches. The Pentagon has also resumed support for a next-generation airborne warning platform alongside the space-based effort.

Source

Defense One - All ContentWestern

Original headline: Officials hedge SpaceX aircraft-tracking satellite bet with three smaller company contracts

Original language: EN-US

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U.S. Space Force Awards $615M in Contracts to Diversify Space-Based Targeting Tech

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