SDA seeking 'leap-ahead' technologies

The Space Development Agency is seeking proposals for capabilities that could "enable leap-ahead improvements" for future tranches of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

Businesses with new architecture concepts, systems and technologies that could be used with or expand on the existing plans for SDA's low-Earth orbit constellation of satellites can submit proposals in response to a broad agency announcement posted last week.

Focus areas for the Systems, Technologies and Emerging Capabilities solicitation include optical communication terminals; advanced tactical data links and waveforms; advanced or alternate position, navigation and timing; infrared missile warning and tracking; sensor fusion; automated target recognition; cyber defense of space data networks; and radiation-hardened or -tolerant advanced processing.

SDA is beginning source selection for its Tranche 3 of operational transport and tracking satellites. The demonstration constellation Tranche 0 is on orbit, T1 is awaiting launch and T2 is in development.