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This Is Who's Developing Golden Dome's Orbital Interceptors—if They're Ever Built
The awards fund prototypes for a space-based missile shield that the Pentagon says will counter ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missile threats.
- On Friday, the Space Force awarded 20 Other Transaction Authority agreements worth up to $3.2 billion to 12 companies for space-based interceptor prototypes supporting President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense shield.
- Space-Based Interceptors aim to shield the U.S. from ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats. Col. Bryon McClain, Program Executive Officer for Space Combat Power, stated the program will demonstrate initial capability by 2028 to counter advancing adversary maneuverability.
- Contractors including SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and Anduril Industries received contracts spanning late 2025 and early 2026. Officials utilized Other Transaction Authority agreements to bypass standard regulations and attract both traditional defense primes and commercial startups.
- These interceptors will form a proliferated low-Earth-orbit constellation 'capable of boost, midcourse and glide phase engagements,' according to Space Systems Command. The system integrates Artificial Intelligence to neutralize high-speed threats throughout their flight.
- With an estimated $185 billion cost, Golden Dome czar Gen. Michael Guetlein emphasized the program must show public progress. The Pentagon requests $17.5 billion for fiscal 2027, with additional funding dependent on future congressional reconciliation packages.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Space Force names 12 companies to develop Golden Dome’s space-based interceptors
The Space Force’s acquisition arm announced on Friday the 12 companies who have received contracts to develop space-based interceptor (SBI) prototypes for President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome. The service awarded other transaction authority (OTA) agreements — worth up to a combined $3.2 billion — to the vendors in late 2025 and early 2026, according to a Space Systems Command press release. Under the contracts, the companies will develop prototy…
DOD awards 12 firms $3.2 billion for Golden Dome space-based interceptors
The Space Force has awarded 20 other transaction authority agreements worth up to $3.2 billion to 12 companies to build a space-based missile interceptor layer for the Pentagon's Golden Dome for America program, the service announced. The awards -- made in late 2025 and early 2026 -- span traditional defense primes and commercial space startups. Industry is tasked with demonstrating an initial capability integrated into the Golden Dome architect…
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