The Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded two prototype agreements with a total value of approximately $424 million to build and operate 20 Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) — Gamma variant prototype space vehicles that will continue to expand the demonstration of advanced tactical satellite communication (TACSATCOM) capabilities through the Tranche 2 timeframe and beyond.
SDA awarded these firm-fixed price other transaction authority (OTA) agreements to York Space Systems, Denver, and Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc., Irvine, California (a Terran Orbital Corporation), to each build and operate 10 T2TL – Gamma prototype satellites with delivery for launch scheduled to begin by Q4 of fiscal year 2027.
SDA received and evaluated eight proposals under an Other Transaction Authorities solicitation, SDA-PS-24-02. The York prototype agreement (FA24012490067) has a total value of approximately $170 million. The Tyvak prototype agreement (FA24012490066) has a total value of approximately $254 million. SDA is the agreement holder for both awards. This marks the first time Tyvak (a Terran Orbital Corporation) will perform as a prime vendor for SDA.
The T2TL features multiple space vehicle and mission configuration variants, along with related operational demonstrations, procured through a multi-solicitation and multi-vendor acquisition approach. The PWSA Transport Layer will provide multi-band global communications access and persistent encrypted connectivity for warfighter missions. The Transport Layer will be the space backbone for the Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) infrastructure with low-latency data transport, sensor-to-shooter connectivity, and TACSATCOM direct to platform.
“With these T2TL – Gamma awards, we are closing out the hardware procurement phase for Tranche 2 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture to support delivery beginning in 2026 to achieve our full warfighting capability,” said Derek Tournear, SDA director. “The T2TL – Gamma space vehicles will demonstrate global communications access and operationalize persistent global encrypted connectivity to support missions like beyond line of sight targeting.”
About the Space Development Agency.
As part of the U.S. Space Force, SDA is recognized as DoD’s constructive disruptor for space acquisition. SDA will accelerate delivery of needed space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through development, fielding, and operation of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.