AviationNews – The U.S. Space Force has awarded contracts totaling $615 million to Rocket Lab and Systems Technology Research under the Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI) program. This critical initiative seeks to establish continuous, satellite-based tracking of airborne threats and missiles from Low Earth Orbit.
As part of the multi-vendor award, Rocket Lab secured a primary contract valued at $397 million to design, construct, launch, and operate its new class of Flatellites. Operating under the leadership of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Space-Based Sensing and Targeting, the SB-AMTI program aims to replace traditional airborne radar platforms, which face growing vulnerabilities in contested airspace governed by advanced anti-access systems. Rocket Lab will execute the mission by deploying multiple spacecraft aboard its upcoming Neutron rocket, while managing real-time orbital operations from secure ground control centers.
The SB-AMTI architecture operates as a resilient “system-of-systems” that integrates space-based radar sensors, high-bandwidth communication links, and artificial intelligence on the ground. By utilizing Rocket Lab‘s flat, stackable Flatellites, the constellation can be efficiently launched in large numbers to maintain continuous global visibility. Onboard and ground processors automatically filter radar clutter and track high-speed aircraft and missiles, transmitting real-time tracking data directly to military command units.
“Rocket Lab is honored to play a key role in the SB-AMTI program, which is critical to expanding the Space Force’s layered, resilient tracking architecture,” stated Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Our end-to-end space capabilities uniquely position us to deliver innovative solutions that meet the urgent national security needs of the Joint Force.”
This contract expansion accelerates the U.S. Space Force‘s transition toward orbital battlespace monitoring ahead of anticipated initial operational capabilities by 2028. Defense planners and commercial partners will continue refining satellite launch schedules and sensor integration to maintain strategic superiority across contested international corridors.
The $615 million SB-AMTI contract allocation represents a major structural shift in modern military surveillance and threat detection. By leveraging Rocket Lab‘s vertical integration and reusable Neutron rocket, the U.S. Space Force ensures persistent, real-time situational awareness against evolving airborne hazards. This orbital framework establishes a new benchmark for global national defense and space-based intelligence gathering.