spacetoday.net: Raytheon satellites dropped from SDA constellation

Posted: Sat, Mar 23, 2024, 11:11 AM ET (1511 GMT)
The Space Development Agency (SDA) will not include seven satellites from Raytheon in a missile-tracking constellation. The agency said it is "reevaluating and considering re-scoping" the contract with the company to provide satellites for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer. SDA did not explain why Raytheon will not be delivering seven satellites that the company was expected to build under a $250 million contract SDA awarded in March 2023, although industry sources said the company was at risk of having to absorb higher-than-expected overruns due to increased costs on the fixed-price contract. SDA ordered the satellites after previously selecting L3Harris and Northrop Grumman to each provide 14 satellites for the constellation. The loss of the Raytheon satellites should not significantly impact the performance of the missile-tracking network, SDA stated.