Contract for 42 Satellite Platforms Awarded to Airbus by NGC
Northrop Grumman has awarded a contract for 42 satellite platforms to Airbus to satisfy the U.S. Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer prototype constellation (T1TL) award.
“This award underscores Airbus U.S.’s mission to develop and deliver, in the U.S., technology critical to the U.S. warfighter.”
Rob Geckle, president and CEO of Airbus U.S. Space and Defense.
“The SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer is a critical national security program, and we are honored to support Northrop Grumman and the Space Development Agency,” said Rob Geckle, president and CEO of Airbus U.S. Space and Defense. “This award underscores Airbus U.S.’s mission to develop and deliver, in the U.S., technology critical to the U.S. warfighter,” he added.
Airbus U.S. has designed a highly adaptable spacecraft platform and will utilize Airbus OneWeb Satellites (AOS), the Airbus U.S. and OneWeb joint venture in Merritt Island, FL, to assemble it using their state-of-the-art production line. This line is currently delivering up to two satellites per day to OneWeb. AOS achieves this industry-leading result through its mature supply chain and manufacturing approach. To date, this facility has already produced over 400 of the 648 satellites on order for OneWeb.
The Space Development Agency (SDA) selected Northrop Grumman in February to develop and field a portion of its Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) constellation. The T1TL network will deliver persistent, secure connectivity for the U.S. military and serve as a critical element for Joint All-Domain Command and Control. This contract for 42 satellite platforms will support that mission.
“The addition of Airbus U.S. as one of our key commercial suppliers complements our end-to-end satellite system integration and heritage communication mission expertise,” said Blake Bullock, vice president, communication systems, strategic space systems, Northrop Grumman.
According to the SDA, the first plane of the T1TL constellation will be launched by September 2024 with the launches of subsequent planes following on one month intervals. After launch, each plane has three months to obtain operational orbit and complete a verification on orbit test using the offeror’s facilities. operations centers, including the offeror’s installed NEBULA operations – Vendor Architecture (NOVA) ground system.
(Source: Airbus and NGC news releases. Image provided by NGC)