Classic Mission, Modern Twist

We’ve fully embraced SDA’s rapid, go-to-market spirit. We are moving quickly and with intention, using high-volume manufacturing to put this new capability on orbit to address warfighter mission needs.

Lou Christen

Proliferated Systems Director, Northrop Grumman

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WHY LEO?

LEO is so hot right now — and we’re not talking about the 125 degrees Celsius it reaches in the sunlight.

Employees work on the production line for the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer satellites in Northrop Grumman’s Space Park campus in Redondo Beach, CA.

Employees work on the production line for the transport layer vehicle satellites in Northrop Grumman’s Space Park campus in Redondo Beach, CA.

Satellites in LEO fly at altitudes of 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) or less above Earth, much closer to the ground than satellites in other orbits. This proximity means satellites in LEO don’t need as much signal power, so they can be smaller and more cost-effective to produce.

Unlike satellites in other orbits which observe a single spot on Earth for hours, objects in LEO are whizzing by Earth at close to 5 miles per second (7 kilometers per second). That speed requires large constellations of satellites working together. Enough satellites, which in LEO means hundreds, can connect the entire globe with a resilient high-speed network.

The PWSA will play a key role in the nation’s national security architecture, which is layered across orbits. Orbital diversity — operating space assets in different orbits to support larger objectives, like national security — provides resilience, leveraging each orbit’s unique advantages.

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SAFETY IN NUMBERS

Consider the PWSA as Earth’s neighborhood watch, with the PWSA’s many satellites as neighbors working together to stay safe and informed — in this case, about missile threats.

Two Northrop Grumman employees work on a Tranche 1 Tracking Layer satellite in a high bay in the company’s Space Park campus in Redondo Beach, CA.

Two Northrop Grumman employees work on a transport layer vehicle satellite.

Advanced ballistic missiles do not travel in predictable flight paths; hypersonic missiles travel extremely fast and can maneuver in flight, making it difficult to determine their ultimate target. Having lots of sensors in LEO — closer to where missiles travel — improves sensing, providing better missile warning and tracking data for decisionmakers and playing a key role in an integrated, layered homeland defense architecture.

In addition to a missile warning and tracking network, the PWSA will have a data transport satellite network giving U.S. troops global, resilient high-speed satellite communications for their full spectrum of missions.

“We are confident in our unique ability to help SDA provide worldwide threat detection, communications and navigation to U.S. forces,” Lou said. “With an extensive history of providing end-to-end systems, we have the knowledge bank, tools and people to answer the call.”

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SMALLER, FASTER, EVOLVABLE

In today’s evolving space landscape, speed and scalability aren’t just advantages, they’re necessities.

A Tranche 1 Tracking Layer space vehicle is pictured in a high bay in Northrop Grumman’s Space Park campus in Redondo Beach, CA.

A transport layer vehicle is pictured in a high bay in Northrop Grumman’s Space Park campus in Redondo Beach, CA.

To answer SDA’s call for scalable, proliferated LEO delivered with speed and quality, Northrop Grumman engaged a team of cross-industry suppliers and completely revamped its satellite production line to build not one, but a dozen satellites at a time.

“These programs presented an exciting opportunity to challenge conventional rules,” Lou said. “We scaled our systems at a rapid pace while maintaining the high quality and standards that define Northrop Grumman.”

The PWSA network is designed for evolution, with upgraded tranches — including satellites and ground systems that are backward-compatible — launched every two years. In 2026, Northrop Grumman plans to deliver 58 satellites for SDA’s first operational tranche and is working in parallel on the next generation, applying emerging technology to keep ahead of the threat.

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We’re committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving demands of our customers with speed and at scale. PWSA gives us the opportunity to leverage our legacy capabilities, discriminating technologies and 30 million square feet of American manufacturing space to ensure mission success in a dynamic environment.

Pablo Pezzimenti

Vice President, Communications & Networking, Northrop Grumman

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Milliseconds Matter

Pioneering the Golden Age of Homeland Defense

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This research was, in part, funded by the U.S. Government. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.

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WHY LEO?

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SAFETY IN NUMBERS

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SMALLER, FASTER, EVOLVABLE

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