Final US MDA Satellite Design Milestone Completed

L3Harris Technologies has now begun building the demonstration satellite for U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA)’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program By DA Staff / 22 Dec 2021

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
L3Harris HBTSS
Follow DA

L3Harris Technologies has completed the final major design milestone on the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA)’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program Phase IIb On-orbit Prototype Demonstration and has begun building the demonstration satellite.

Completing the Critical Design Review is the final design milestone ensuring performance, cost and schedule requirements can be met before beginning to build the satellite. However, L3Harris has been building and buying components concurrently to maintain an aggressive schedule.

“L3Harris is moving quickly, in collaboration with our customer, to provide prototype HBTSS satellites that demonstrate the sensitivity and fire control quality of service necessary to support the hypersonic kill chain,” said Ed Zoiss, president, L3Harris Space & Airborne Systems. 

HBTSS is one of several proposed systems within the U.S. Department of Defense’s next-generation proliferated low-Earth orbit space architecture. The program’s objective is to demonstrate the capability to detect and track traditional and emerging missile threats using infrared sensors and advanced processing capability.

L3Harris has prioritized investments in end-to-end satellite solutions in spacecraft, payloads, ground software and advanced algorithms. The Missile Defense Agency awarded L3Harris a study contract in 2019 and the prototype demonstration in January 2021. In December 2020, the Space Development Agency selected L3Harris to build and launch four space vehicles to demonstrate the capability to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

GA-ASI & Marine Corps Advance MQ-9A Operational Capabilities

The U.S. Marine Corps has accumulated over 1,000 flight hours using the MQ-9A unmanned aircraft in collaboration with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)

Apr 30, 2025
New ESTU Module to Boost Short-Term Stability of Optical Cesium Clocks

Adtran has launched the Enhanced Short-Term Unit (ESTU) for its OSA 3300 optical cesium clocks, delivering passive hydrogen maser-level stability and significantly enhancing precision timing for defense applications

Apr 30, 2025
Sky Power to Showcase ISR UAV Propulsion Technology at XPONENTIAL 2025

Sky Power International will present advanced UAV propulsion technologies at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting powerful engines, hybrid systems, and customized solutions for ISR and civilian applications

Apr 29, 2025
Full Ground Autonomy Integrated into Army SMET Vehicle for Uncrewed Breaching

Overland AI demonstrated its latest autonomous ground breaching capabilities at Project Convergence Capstone 5, integrating advanced software, hardware, and aerial payloads for Army experimentation

Apr 29, 2025
Application of Wheel Speed Sensors in INS

Micro-Magic delves into how wheel speed sensors are often used as auxiliary sensors in INS to improve navigation accuracy and suppress accumulated errors of inertial sensors

Apr 28, 2025
Product Spotlight: The Honeywell HG4930 IMU

Honeywell highlights the key features and reliability of the Honeywell HG4930 IMU, a trusted solution for navigation in GNSS-denied environments and challenging conditions

Apr 28, 2025

Featured Content

Sky Power to Showcase ISR UAV Propulsion Technology at XPONENTIAL 2025

Sky Power International will present advanced UAV propulsion technologies at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting powerful engines, hybrid systems, and customized solutions for ISR and civilian applications

Apr 29, 2025
Q&A with DEFCROS: Key Insights for the 2025 Expo

DEFCROS Founder Kristijan Ilovača discusses the expo’s rapid growth, international ambitions, and how the event aims to support defense and security innovators

Apr 24, 2025
Ophir® FoldIR Lens Enhances Long-Range Imaging for Defense & Security Operations

The new Ophir® FoldIR 25-275mm MWIR zoom lens delivers compact, long-range imaging with low-SWaP performance for drones and small gimbal platforms

Apr 17, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.