The U.S. Space Force has awarded initial contracts for prototypes under the Golden Dome missile defense program, a spokesperson for the military branch has confirmed.
The Space Force spokesperson confirmed the awards but did not name the contractors, saying that deals below $9 million do not need to be publicly disclosed.
“The selection process was robust and thorough,” a Space Force statement sent to news outlets said. It is looking to “lead a fast-paced effort in partnership with industry to develop, demonstrate and deliver prototype interceptors.”
The contracts will fund the development of competing prototypes for phase interceptors that will shoot down a missile as it enters space, and the fire control stations to coordinate the signals from satellites and help interceptors launch and find their targets.
“Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they’re launched from space. And we will have the best system ever built,” the president said in May.
In addition to new and improved space-based sensors and interceptors, Trump’s January executive order called for the Department of Defense to consider non-kinetic missile interception technologies such as lasers.
The order also tasked the department with examining methods and technologies for intercepting missile threats before they can launch, or in their initial boost phase.
Trump said that the program would allow the United States to effectively counter advanced cruise missiles and hypersonic ballistic missiles.
Golden Dome mirrors President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative from the 1980s.
Trump appointed Michael Guetlein, vice chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force, as the program manager for Golden Dome.
