Contract for L3Harris includes launch and early orbit testing of a prototype satellite payload to detect and track hypersonic missiles. The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has picked L3Harris Technologies to develop a prototype system under Phase IIa of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) programme. Work on the $121.63 million contract is scheduled for completion by 14 July 2023. A total of four proposals were received. While the DoD did not name the unsuccessful bidders, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin subsidiary Leidos and Raytheon worked in 2020 on HBTSS prototypes under $20 million contracts from the MDA. HBTSS Phase IIa includes launch and early orbit testing of a prototype payload design for a proposed satellite constellation to detect and track hypersonic and advanced missile threats.