Seeing Aircraft and Cruise Missiles from Space
Why does missile defence buy satellites that track aircraft?
Chapter summary
Cruise missiles and drones fly below ground-radar horizons; airborne radars are few. SpaceX received $4.16B in May 2026 for the first SB-AMTI satellites.
Key takeaways
- 1
Fielding from 2028; more vendor-pool awards expected.
- 2
The SB-AMTI and backbone awards are separate agreements.
- 3
Space-based moving-target indication also serves long-range targeting.
Key figures in this chapter
- $4.16B
- first SB-AMTI award
- 2028
- fielding begins
- ~$2B
- AMTI line in 2025 committee text
- $1.3B
- Long Range Kill Chains, FY2027
Source: Defence Space and Missile Defence study, Setcoin Research (October 2026)
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