Space Development Agency wants missile-defense satellites with infrared sensors to track hypersonic missiles
WASHINGTON – U.S. missile-defense experts are reaching out to industry for a company to design and build four to eight satellites with on-board infrared sensors to detect and track enemy conventional and hypersonic missiles anywhere in the world.
Officials of the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) in Washington issued a solicitation Friday (SDA-PS-24-01) for the secret Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture's (PWSA) Fire-control On Orbit-support-to-the-war Fighter (F2) program.
SDA officials want one or two companies to build and launch four F2 space vehicles, with an option for eight more. SDA plans to purchase and deploy eight F2 space vehicles with electro-optical and infrared sensors.
The F2 system will provide fire-control for global detection, warning, and precision tracking of advanced enemy missiles -- including hypersonic missiles.
F2 missile-defense system will demonstrate missile-defense capability by incorporating fire control-quality sensors into a scalable prototype spacecraft constellation. SDA also may acquire additional satellites and sensor payloads. The prototype F2 constellation will be launched no later than fall 2026 on a government- provided launch.
Additional information contained in classified attachments and documents are available for qualified companies by emailing the SDA's Amelia Brown at [email protected]. Put SDA F2 Solicitation Content Request in the subject line.
Companies interested must submit proposals no later than 19 Jan. 2024. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/9a53f545d8cb42ae8eda70cf29e8ef7f/view.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
