Space Force Awards Contracts for Golden Domes Ahead of Schedule

The U.S. Space Force has reportedly chosen several private companies to develop and test missile defense prototypes as part of the Pentagon's ambitious Golden Dome initiative. According to sources cited by Reuters, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Anduril, and startup True Anomaly have received initial funding to create space-based interceptors (SBIs), designed to neutralize enemy missiles within minutes of launch during their boost phase.

The funding also includes the construction of control stations necessary for the SBIs to accurately track and engage their targets. Both elements are integral to the Golden Dome program, which the Pentagon aims to operationalize within the next three years.

A Pentagon presentation from July, reviewed by Reuters, indicated that the initial boost-phase SBI contracts are valued at approximately $120,000 each. Companies that successfully demonstrate prototypes will later compete for larger production contracts, potentially ranging from $1.8 billion to $3.4 billion annually after 2028.

Golden Dome represents a shift from traditional ground-based missile defenses, relying instead on assets deployed and operated from orbit. While the Space Force confirmed the initial contract awards, it did not disclose the recipients, citing a threshold of $9 million for public disclosure. However, the Pentagon presentation lists $10 million awards for Northrop Grumman and Anduril, suggesting some discrepancy.

A Space Force representative explained that the identities of the companies are kept confidential due to "enhanced security measures" and the use of competitive Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs). Additionally, sources indicate that the Pentagon is employing classified sole-source contracts to accelerate the development of SBIs and other components of Golden Dome.

The awarded companies will use the funding to build and test SBIs, competing for prize pools across different phases including a ground test, two flight tests, and a final intercept trial. The second flight test has a $340 million prize pool, with the top performer eligible for up to $125 million. Up to $150 million is allocated for winners of the ground test phase. Many firms, however, will need to self-fund a significant portion of their work, with some defense industry insiders describing the award structure as heavily reliant on private resources.

The boost-phase SBI contracts mark a significant step toward realizing the multi-billion-dollar Golden Dome program, though questions remain regarding its overall cost and timeline. President Trump has described missile attacks as the "most catastrophic threat facing the United States" and estimated the Golden Dome program could cost around $175 billion. Congress has appropriated approximately $25 billion over the next decade, including $5.6 billion specifically for SBI development. Analysts at the American Enterprise Institute warn that the total cost could reach "potentially trillions of dollars over the next 20 years," largely driven by SBIs.

Sources report that SpaceX is collaborating with Anduril and Palantir on the projects satellite custody layer, with preliminary engineering and design estimated at up to $10 billion. Between 400 and 1,000 satellites may be deployed to detect and track missiles, supported by around 200 "attack satellites." SpaceXs involvement could leverage previously launched satellites for the program, though the company is proposing a subscription-based access model rather than outright government ownership, which has raised concerns within the Pentagon.

Author: Sophia Brooks