
The Space Development Agency (SDA) on Aug. 31 awarded $281.5 million in firm, fixed-price contracts to Lockheed Martin [LMT] and York Space Systems to build 10 satellites each for an initial space-based sensor and tactical communications constellation--Tranche O--to be fielded by 2022. Lockheed Martin received a $187.5 million contract and York Space Systems a $94 million contract for the first generation of the National Defense Space Architecture's Transport Layer. "This is a very important step toward building the National Defense…