The US Space Force has selected 15 companies for a $981-million contract vehicle to develop next-generation space test and training capabilities.
The US Space Force has selected 15 companies for a $981-million contract vehicle to develop next-generation space test and training capabilities.
Space Systems Command awarded the National Space Test and Training Complex Innovative Technology & Engineering – Space Test and Range (NITE-STAR) Capability Development contract to establish a pool of contractors supporting future testing and training programs.
The contract covers two five-year ordering periods and is intended to accelerate the development of technologies that prepare Space Force personnel for operations in increasingly contested space environments.
The companies selected are Amentum Technology, BAE Systems, CACI, Firefly Aerospace, L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin Space, Northrop Grumman, Pacific Crest Alliance, Parsons Government Services, Redwire Space Missions, Rocket Lab USA, Sierra Space, Boeing, Viasat, and York Space Systems.
According to the service, the centralized acquisition vehicle will allow organizations across the Operational Test and Training Infrastructure enterprise to quickly procure advanced test and training capabilities while maintaining competition among industry.
US Space Force Expands Space Training
The NITE-STAR contract builds on broader US efforts to modernize military training as the Space Force expands its workforce and prepares for future space operations.
The service recently exceeded its fiscal 2026 recruiting goal by 25 percent, enlisting 912 recruits against a target of 730 within the first five months of the year.
In January, the US Space Force awarded Slingshot Aerospace a $27-million contract to integrate AI into its Operational Test and Training Infrastructure, replacing scripted scenarios with AI-driven adversaries capable of simulating realistic orbital threats.
This effort is centered on TALOS, an autonomous AI agent introduced in 2025 to act as a "Red Force" during space warfare exercises.
Earlier, in September 2024, the Space Force tapped Virginia-based Aleut Federal to support its introductory Officer Training Course, providing instruction in space, intelligence, and cyber operations tailored to each trainee's aptitude and future role within the service.
