Nichols Martin
L3Harris Technologies has achieved a milestone on a program led by the Missile Defense Agency and proceeded to the construction of a new demonstration satellite meant to track hypersonic and ballistic missiles.
The company said Monday it completed the critical design review of MDA’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor and kicked off the succeeding build activities.
The CDR’s completion underscores the technology’s ability to meet performance and schedule requirements; and is the final step needed before the start of prototyping efforts.
HBTSS aims to demonstrate a system that uses infrared sensors and modern processing to track common and advanced missile threats.
MDA selected L3Harris in 2019 to perform studies under the program then awarded a contract to demo the satellite prototype in 2021.
The company also received a contract with the Space Development Agency in December 2020 to produce and launch four demonstration vehicles for hypersonic and ballistic missile detection.
