Rocket Lab, STR win Space Force contracts for airborne-target tracking

The United States Space Force has awarded contracts totaling $615 million to three firms to advance the Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI) program. Rocket Lab, specifically, has been awarded $397 million of this total. The initiative aims to enhance the military's ability to track aircraft and other airborne threats from orbit using next-generation satellite technology. While Rocket Lab is the primary recipient named in the documentation, STR has also been confirmed as a contract winner alongside other participants. Coverage from SpaceNews and Breaking Defense identifies the initiative as a multi-vendor effort intended to accelerate capabilities for long-range tracking.

These satellites are frequently described as "flatellites" in recent industry reporting, denoting a specific form factor for the new spacecraft. Air & Space Forces Magazine indicates that the military target for achieving "usable" airborne tracking capabilities is 2028. This objective serves as a near-term milestone in a program that intends to integrate broader capabilities over time. The contracts represent a significant investment in moving tracking assets beyond traditional terrestrial or atmospheric platforms. Despite the specific financial allocation to Rocket Lab, the total $615 million contract award involves at least two other entities.

DefenseScoop and the Space Force's official portal note that these agreements are part of a second batch of awards, highlighting an incremental procurement strategy. The complexity of the program's requirements is reflected in the multi-vendor approach, which differs from traditional single-source defense procurement models. Future updates will focus on the technical integration of these flatellites into existing Space Force surveillance architecture. Coverage does not yet specify the individual roles or responsibilities of each contract recipient beyond the stated goal of airborne-target tracking. The transition from the development phase to the 2028 operational timeline is the primary administrative focus moving forward.