US Space Force Awards SpaceX $2.29 Billion Contract for Military Satellite Communications Backbone (xataka.com)

• SpaceX awarded $2.29B to build military satellite network backbone.
• Starshield satellites (military Starlink) to provide transport layer.
• Tracking layer by L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab.

"The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to build the backbone of its military space data network. SpaceX will provide its Starshield satellites, a military version of Starlink, for the transport layer. Other companies like L3Harris and Lockheed Martin will handle the tracking layer. Critics worry about reliance on a single vendor, Elon Musk. A fully operational prototype is due by end of 2027."