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Lockheed, SpaceX, and Anduril among 12 companies to develop space-based missile interceptors.
The US Space Force released a list of 12 companies selected to develop Space-Based Interceptors (SBIs) for the Pentagon's Golden Dome initiative, a multi-layer defense system against drones, ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles. The roster includes heavyweights like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and SpaceX, alongside specialty firms like Anduril Industries and True Anomaly. The combined value of the initial agreements is up to $3.2 billion, with full-scale production contracts expected later at significantly higher costs.
However, Gen. Michael Guetlein, director of the Golden Dome program, cautioned that boost-phase intercept from space—the core concept behind SBIs—may not be fielded if it isn't affordable and scalable. He emphasized a multi-domain approach with redundant capabilities. In other space news, Virgin Galactic completed structural assembly of its first Delta-class SpaceShip, moving it to ground tests in Arizona. The company aims to begin flight testing in Q3 2025 and resume commercial suborbital flights by year-end, becoming the sole operator after Blue Origin paused New Shepard flights.
- 12 companies selected for Golden Dome SBI development; maximum $3.2B in initial agreements.
- Gen. Guetlein: boost-phase intercept from space may be dropped if not affordable; other options exist.
- Virgin Galactic's first Delta-class spaceship assembled; ground tests begin, flight test expected Q3 2025.
Why It Matters
This shapes the future of US missile defense and commercial suborbital spaceflight, with billion-dollar contracts and cost-driven pivots.