The US Space Force has awarded total value contracts 615 million dollars to Rocket Lab companies, Systems & Technology Research and a third unnamed company to develop satellite network technologies for tracking air and missile targets from orbit.
For reference: Rocket Lab is an American private aerospace corporation with New Zealand roots, which is one of the leaders of modern commercial cosmonautics and the main competitor of SpaceX
in the segment of small and medium space launches.
Systems & Technology Research is an American private defense technology company, which specializes in advanced scientific research and development for the US Department of Defense, intelligence services and national security agencies.
Rocket Lab's share is 397 millions of dollars. The company will develop, will launch and operate several satellites of the "Flatellites" type, a flat design of the new generation, optimized for large constellations, with on-board sensors and low-latency communication channels. Launches will be carried out by a Neutron rocket. The contract includes an option for additional devices.
The agreements were concluded within the framework of the "Cosmic Indicator of Moving Air Targets" program (SB-AMTI). They are aimed at expanding the supplier base, evaluation of alternative technical solutions and reduction of dependence on one performer.
For reference: SB-AMTI is a top-secret strategic initiative of the US Space Force, aimed at creating a global satellite group for continuous tracking of air targets (planes, UAVs and cruise missiles) directly from space in real time.
Previously, SpaceX also received a contract for 4,16 billion dollars to build the initial AMTI constellation.
Source: https://spacenews.com