The Department of Defense is accelerating its efforts to develop space-based interceptors as part of the Golden Dome initiative, Breaking Defense reported, noting that the Pentagon is seeking to engage the private sector in creating the $175 billion missile defense shield.
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SBIs are seen as a critical Golden Dome capability capable of neutralizing missiles during their boost phase. Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, acting head of space acquisition for the Department of the Air Force, revealed that the Pentagon is looking at innovative acquisition methods, including the use of non-traditional contracting vehicles and launching prize contests to take advantage of commercial technologies to speed up development.
Cooperating With Industry to Build Golden Dome
Amazon’s Project Kuiper has already been engaged for potential involvement in the defense shield’s data relay services as the DOD explores options to move away from SpaceX due to the ongoing tensions between President Donald Trump and the company’s founder Elon Musk. Other private companies, including Stoke Space and Rocket Lab, have been approached to contribute their expertise to the project, particularly in satellite launch capabilities.
Defense companies, including Northrop Grumman and RTX, have expressed interest in supporting the Golden Dome. Northrop Grumman is already developing space-based interceptors, while RTX, known for its Patriot missile defense systems, anticipates playing a major role in Golden Dome’s architecture.
The Pentagon’s strategy to involve multiple partners aims to reduce reliance on a single contractor.
Gen. Michael Guetlein, the Pentagon’s newly appointed Golden Dome czar, emphasized that the SBI development is one of the challenges the initiative faces. Speaking at a Space Foundation event, he noted that while the technology to intercept missiles from space is proven, the capability to build sufficient satellites at scale and expand the industrial base quickly enough to meet the program’s requirements remains uncertain.
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