The United States Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion (£3.26bn) contract to construct a satellite constellation capable of tracking airborne targets from low Earth orbit. Announced on 29 May, the agreement marks a shift as the Pentagon moves battlefield surveillance from aircraft to satellite systems.
This initiative covers the first phase of an Air Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) network designed to monitor global threats. The space-based sensing layer will detect, track, and maintain custody of airborne targets, including fighter jets, bombers, cruise missiles, and hypersonic weapons. By relying on a proliferated satellite system, military forces aim to ensure uninterrupted coverage across contested airspace environments.
