The Space Development Agency (SDA) is in the early stages of implementing its plan to deploy hundreds of missile warning and communication satellites over the next few years. L3Harris, based in Melbourne, Fla., is under contract to deliver 38 satellites for the first three tranches of SDA’s missile tracking constellation, with four launched in February. However, the company faced supply chain challenges, particularly from bus supplier Moog Inc., which led to a federal court complaint in March.
Despite these challenges, L3Harris has adapted its strategy and selected Maxar to build the satellite bus for future satellites. The company’s president, Kelle Wendling, has highlighted the lessons learned and challenges faced in developing a reliable supply chain for small satellites in an interview with C4ISRNET. Supply chain issues have been concentrated in areas such as optical intersatellite links, bus providers, and radios.
L3Harris has had to balance the need for a diverse supply base with the requirement for consistency, opting for a hybrid approach that includes both exclusive partnerships and diverse suppliers. The company is focused on limiting non-recurring engineering costs to reduce risks and ensure schedule integrity. This approach is essential as the space industry moves towards a phase of proliferation, with suppliers needing to adapt to meet the demand for multiple satellites simultaneously.
