L3 Harris completes review of satellite communications payloads
Tranche 2 (T2) Transport Layer Beta will support warfighter communications. (Photo: L3Harris)
L3Harris is involved with four satellite programmes for missile tracking and communications for the US Space Development Agency (SDA).
L3Harris has completed the critical design review of major payloads it is designing, developing and producing in support of Lockheed Martin Space’s Tranche 2 (T2) Transport Layer Beta contract.
The payloads are 45 mission payload (MPL) radios and 40 CXK-1000 radios. Lockheed Martin is providing the satellites under a contract with the SDA.
The MPL radios will handle and process warfighting data supporting Integrated Broadcast System-Low Earth orbit (IBS-L) and tactical satellite communication users.
Related Articles
US awards $1.5 billion in deals for Transport Layer satellites
Lockheed Martin deploys ten satellites for Low-Earth Orbit comms
US Space Force accelerates acquisition and development of capabilities
The CXK-1000 radios will enable Ka-band communication which enables the transmission of data to and from the satellites.
L3Harris is also involved with Tranche 0 (T0) Tracking Layer and four of the company’s missile-tracking satellites were launched into orbit in 2024 as part of the effort.
The company is also designing and building 16 missile-tracking satellites as part of the Tranche 1 (T1) Tracking Layer which is designed to detect, track and fuse threat data provided to the warfighter in real time. The satellites are expected to launch next year.
In 2024, the SDA awarded L3Harris a US$919 million contract to develop 18 infrared space vehicles for the T2 Tracking Layer programme, which will provide near-global missile warning and tracking coverage.
More from Air Warfare
-
![New US Army UH-60M Black Hawk order bridges uncertain path to MV-75 transition]()
New US Army UH-60M Black Hawk order bridges uncertain path to MV-75 transition
The US$234 million award for 16 Sikorsky UH-60Ms preserves near-term production, but funding uncertainty and an undefinitised contract leave the US Army’s long-term Black Hawk requirements unresolved.
-
![V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal]()
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
![AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics]()
AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
![Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry]()
Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry
Between 2026 and 2032, almost a quarter of EU aircraft spending is expected to come from Germany. While crewed programmes seek modernisation and replacement, uncrewed opportunities look to introduce entirely new capabilities, with both highlighting sovereignty and domestic production.
-
![Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad]()
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
