The US Space Force, Space Development Agency (SDA), has a requirement for the PWSA Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Gamma.

SDA’s Tranche 2 programs will extend the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture’s initial warfighting capability established by Tranche 1 programs with additional services and capabilities to support an agile, connected warfighting posture for the Department of Defense. Tranche 2 is anticipated to be acquired in layers similar to Tranche 1 but with additional variants in the Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL): Alpha, Beta, and Gamma for primary capabilities and Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T2DES) for consideration of capabilities that show potential for warfighter utility and proliferation in future Tranches.

Recognized as the Department of Defense’s constructive disruptor for space acquisition, SDA will quickly deliver needed space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through development, fielding, and operation of the PWSA. The PWSA will provide global, beyond line of sight targeting support; missile warning, air, ground, and surface object tracking; and, other missile defense capabilities, including capabilities to detect and defeat the hypersonic missile threat. SDA capitalizes on a unique business model that values speed and lowers costs by harnessing commercial development to achieve a proliferated architecture with enhanced resilience. SDA will deliver ever increasing product capability – on time, every two (2) years – by employing spiral development methods, adding capabilities to future generations as the threat evolves. SDA’s Tranche 2 (T2) Transport Layer (T2TL) will deploy various systems beginning in 2026 that will enhance the T1TL foundational layer. The capability addressed by this RFI will consist of approximately 20 space vehicles with a payload specifically designed to close on future kill chains via the PWSA. The goal is to make data available to the warfighter “at or ahead of the speed of the threat.”
SDA is responsible for orchestrating the DoD’s future threat-driven space architecture and accelerating the development and fielding of new military space capabilities necessary to ensure U.S. technological and military advantage in space. SDA’s mission begins and ends with the warfighter. SDA recognizes that good enough capabilities in the hands of warfighter sooner may be better than delivering the perfect solution too late. SDA remains mission-focused and continues to make advances toward delivering the next-generation of fire control for the PWSA missions.

SDA expects to procure approximately 20 T2TL Gamma space vehicles with a payload specifically designed to close future kill chains via the PWSA. The Gamma variant will share certain baseline characteristics with the other T2TL variants (Alpha and Beta) outlined in the solicitation.

T2TL features multiple space vehicle and mission configuration variants procured through a multi-solicitation and multi-vendor acquisition approach. The initial launch capability is scheduled for September 2026.