The U.S. Space Force awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract to develop a satellite constellation. This network will detect and track airborne targets under the Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI) program. The project serves as a key component of the broader Golden Dome defensive initiative.
SpaceX must field the satellite constellation by 2028. The system provides continuous global surveillance of threats including aircraft and cruise missiles. This initiative transitions capabilities traditionally handled by AWACS aircraft into a more resilient space-based sensing layer.
This award marks SpaceX’s second major military contract within one week. It follows a $2.29 billion agreement to build a communications backbone for the same Golden Dome shield. The Space Force intends to bring in multiple vendors to build out the full capabilities of the network.