Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force and a three-time Wash100 awardee, said the service branch will play a key role in the Department of Defense’s efforts to build a missile defense shield, known as the Iron Dome for America, C4ISRNET reported Monday.
Iron Dome Executive Order
In late January, President Trump signed an executive order to deploy and maintain a next-generation missile defense shield to protect the country and critical infrastructure from foreign aerial attacks.
The EO titled The Iron Dome for America directs the secretary of defense to submit within the next two months a reference architecture, capabilities-based requirements and an implementation plan for the missile defense shield. The order also requires a review of the country’s theater missile defense posture.
Establishing an Integrated Planning Team
Saltzman said the Space Force has formed an integrated planning team, or IPT, to evaluate options in accordance with the EO.
“I think we have a central role to play,” the 2025 Wash100 Award recipient noted. ”We are leaning forward establishing this technical IPT to start thinking about it from an overarching perspective.”
According to the report, the technical IPT is assessing what platforms the service already has in development and what capabilities it would need to develop the Iron Dome. The group will move to address the project’s technical feasibility and draft cost estimates based on existing programs.
A senior Space Force official said the IPT is expected to complete its early analysis in the coming weeks.
