11:48 AM EDT, 04/18/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with details throughout.)

Northrop Grumman ( NOC ) is working with Elon Musk's SpaceX business on a classified US spy satellite project, Reuters reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the program.

The program, which is already capturing high-resolution Earth imagery, will help improve the US government's ability to track military and intelligence targets from low-Earth orbits, according to the report, citing the people.

The aerospace and defense technology company is providing sensors for some of the SpaceX satellites, the unnamed sources told the news agency.

Northrop will test the satellites at its facilities before their launch, Reuters reported, citing two sources. The company expects at least 50 SpaceX satellites at its facilities for procedures including testing and sensor installation in coming years, one of the sources told the news agency.

Northrop's inclusion in the project comes as government officials seek to avoid giving too much control of a highly sensitive intelligence program to one contractor, Reuters reported, citing four people familiar with the project.

Northrop and SpaceX didn't respond to requests for comment, Reuters reported.

Northrop and SpaceX didn't immediately respond to MT Newswires' requests for comment.

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