The US Space Force has selected 12 companies to develop space-based interceptors for the Golden Dome missile defense program, including SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Anduril, and Raytheon. The awards, worth up to $3.2 billion combined, were made through Other Transaction Authority agreements allowing rapid prototyping without typical federal acquisition delays.

Golden Dome aims to create a multilayer defense system shielding US territory from ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile attacks. The Space Force expects to demonstrate an initial capability in 2028, though officials stress full production depends on whether space-based interceptors prove affordable and scalable. "If boost-phase intercept from space is not affordable and scalable, we will not produce it," said Gen. Michael Guetlein, the program's director.

The Iran conflict has intensified urgency around missile defense. US and Israeli interceptors achieved a 90% success rate shooting down thousands of Iranian missiles and drones since 2024, but the war depleted existing interceptor stocks. The Trump administration estimates Golden Dome will cost $185 billion, though some analysts project several trillion. Defense officials are keeping much of the architecture classified, making independent cost verification difficult.