The Space Development Agency (SDA) is modeling its space-based shield for ground fighters on an architecture of 28 satellites now known as the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The first 10 satellites launched March 30, 2023 (see image above) from Vandenberg Space Force Base and will establish one of seven layers or tranches of satellites. Additional tranches of satellites are planned for launch every two years.
The SDA is calling this first group of PWSA satellites the Warfighter Immersion Tranche. Eventually, the PWSA will consist of hundreds of satellites within the seven layers, optically interconnected to create a form of space shield capable of tracking missiles and enemy troop movements of Earth-bound joint-forces warriors.
For example, eight of the first 10 satellites are part of the transport layer, while the other two satellites will be part of the tracking layer. Derek M. Tournear, director of the SDA, notes, “We're pretty excited about that because this is the first dedicated SDA launch. All of the satellites on the rocket will be SDA satellites and it's the first launch of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.”
The satellite architecture will provide line-of-sight (LOS) targeting for ground-based and maritime-sensitive targets, such as ships and missiles, with the capabilities of tracking the target’s movements and direction and calculating a fire-control solution best suited for the target’s known coordinates. Following the launch, the first 10 PWSA satellites will undergo extensive testing and calibration to optimize performance of their onboard electronic systems.
Tournear remarked, “When they're first up there, they're going to go through a period of calibration and then after calibration, they'll look for targets of opportunity.” Tracking tests, designed by the SDA using U.S. aircraft, will be performed in the spring of 2024. The remaining 18 of the PWSA’s 28 satellites are expected to be launched in June 2023.