Rocket Lab, headquartered in Long Beach, California, revealed on August 4, 2026, that it has secured a $397 million contract from the United States Space Force. The contract is part of the Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI) program. Rocket Lab will be responsible for designing, building, launching, and operating multiple Flatellites. These are next-generation flat satellites specifically engineered for large-scale satellite networks. Each satellite will come equipped with advanced space-based sensors and communication systems that offer low latency and high bandwidth, ensuring efficient data transmission. The contract includes an option for additional Flatellites within its total value, enhancing the program’s scalability and capabilities.
Flatellites and the Neutron Rocket
Flatellite Concept Introduced
The Flatellite concept marks a departure from traditional satellite designs, with a focus on efficiency and scalability for deploying satellite constellations. Rocket Lab will use its Neutron rocket, currently in development, to launch these satellites into orbit. The Neutron rocket is being developed as a medium-lift vehicle with reusable capabilities, promising more cost-effective access to space. Once in orbit, the satellites will be operated from secure ground control centers and will transmit real-time data back to the Space Force, enabling continuous surveillance of airborne threats around the globe. The Neutron rocket will replace the company’s earlier Electron and HASTE rockets for medium-lift missions and provide vendor diversity in the SB-AMTI program. Rocket Lab said its Neutron launch service will also expand vendor diversity within the program.
The contract terms include a potential for additional satellite deployments beyond the initial agreement, offering flexibility in scaling the system. Rocket Lab’s vertically integrated approach ensures all aspects of the project—from spacecraft design and production to launch and mission control—can be handled in-house. This comprehensive model allows the company to deliver full space solutions quickly and reliably. Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab’s founder and CEO, highlighted the strategic importance of the SB-AMTI program. He stated that the integration of launch services, spacecraft operations, and mission management makes Rocket Lab uniquely suited to meet the urgent military needs of the Space Force. Beck added that the program is central to building a more robust tracking infrastructure for the military. Rocket Lab is honored to play a key role in the SB-AMTI program, which is critical to expanding the Space Force’s layered, resilient tracking architecture, Rocket Lab’s vertically integrated constellation-class satellite capabilities, mission operations, and launch services uniquely position the company to deliver innovative solutions that meet the urgent needs of the Space Force. “We are proud to contribute to the deployment of a resilient space-based sensing layer that will enhance the Joint Force’s ability to operate in contested airspace.” Rocket Lab said its integrated model supports rapid delivery of military space systems. The company handles satellite design, manufacturing, launch and on-orbit operations. Those capabilities will be used across the SB-AMTI contract.
The SB-AMTI program is designed to address the limitations of existing airborne and ground-based sensor systems, which often face significant challenges in high-threat environments. These systems are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) technologies, which can limit their effectiveness. The program is overseen by the Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) for Space-Based Sensing and Targeting (SBST), which is tasked with developing a comprehensive space-based solution. This includes deploying an architecture that integrates advanced satellite systems, secure communication networks, and AI-driven ground processing. The result will be a persistent and real-time awareness system for military operations. For decades, the military has relied heavily on terrestrial and airborne sensors to track moving targets in the air. However, deploying these traditional sensing aircraft into highly contested environments is becoming increasingly unviable, as those platforms face unprecedented risks from increasingly sophisticated anti-access/area-denial systems.
System-of-Systems Approach
Unlike traditional satellite projects, the SB-AMTI program is not limited to a single launch. It represents a “system-of-systems” approach, combining data from multiple sources for enhanced operational effectiveness. At the core of the system are advanced algorithms that process vast data streams to identify and track airborne threats. The system is designed to operate in environments with high levels of interference or “clutter,” ensuring that critical information is not lost in noise. By continuously monitoring the battlefield, the program aims to remove blind spots that current sensor systems cannot cover, improving situational awareness for military personnel. Designed as a complex "system-of-systems," SB-AMTI isn't just a single satellite. It is a highly integrated architecture encompassing advanced space-based sensors, artificial intelligence-driven resilient ground processing and secure communication links. By leveraging AI to filter clutter and identify targets hidden within massive data streams, the ultimate goal is to provide warfighters with continuous oversight and real-time tracking data, eliminating operational blind spots regardless of what is happening in the airspace below.
This latest project builds on Rocket Lab’s long-standing partnerships with major U.S. defense and intelligence organizations. The company has previously worked with the Space Force, the National Reconnaissance Office, DARPA, and NASA. Its ability to deliver complete mission solutions has made it a reliable partner for high-stakes missions. Rocket Lab has contributed to over 1,700 missions, spanning Earth orbit, lunar exploration, and interplanetary missions. The company’s vertically integrated approach covers every phase of a mission, from the initial design and production of satellites to the final deployment and operation in orbit.
Neutron Rocket's Role
The Neutron rocket will serve as the backbone of the SB-AMTI project, replacing the company’s earlier Electron and HASTE rockets for medium-lift missions. The Neutron is designed with reusability in mind, which promises to cut down on launch costs and streamline the deployment of satellite constellations. The SB-AMTI project will use this new launch platform to deploy multiple Flatellites, forming a continuous surveillance network from space. This network will enhance the military’s ability to monitor airborne threats and support operations in contested environments.