Space Force Picks 12 Companies to Build Golden Dome Missile Defense System
The Space Force selected 12 companies to develop space-based missile interceptors for the Golden Dome defense system. The companies include SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and eight others.
The Space Force awarded contracts to 12 companies to develop space-based interceptors for the Golden Dome missile defense system. The selected companies are Anduril, Booz Allen Hamilton, General Dynamics Mission Systems, GITAI USA, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Quindar, Raytheon, Sci-Tec, SpaceX, True Anomaly, and Turion Space Corp.
Golden Dome is designed to use thousands of satellites equipped with sensors to detect and destroy missiles during their launch phase. The system takes its name from Israel's Iron Dome but would cover the entire Earth, similar to President Ronald Reagan's 1983 Strategic Defense Initiative.
Michael Guetlein, who leads the Golden Dome program, told Congress that space-based interceptors might be too expensive for the project's proposed $185 billion budget. He said if the technology isn't affordable and scalable, they won't produce it.
The interceptors would target missiles in their boost phase, right after launch when they're most vulnerable. This approach could stop threats before they deploy countermeasures or multiple warheads.
This $185 billion project aims to protect the entire Earth from missile attacks using thousands of satellites in space. It could change how America defends itself, but officials worry the cost might be too high to actually build.
Companies will develop prototypes and compete for the final contract to build the actual interceptor system.
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