Overview
- Guetlein said he has held one-on-one meetings with 200–300 companies and argued that industry has sufficient insight despite limited public disclosures.
- Space Systems Command awarded 18 Other Transaction Agreements for space-based interceptors covering boost- and glide-phase concepts along with ground systems and fire-control software.
- The gated, multi-year competition offers nearly $3 billion in prize funding, requires an on-orbit kinetic intercept, and places greater cost and execution risk on participating vendors.
- Golden Dome’s architecture relies on space-based kinetic interceptors and a high-speed transport layer linking warning satellites, tracking sensors, command centers, and interceptors in real time.
- Guetlein signaled that the secrecy posture could begin to ease in 2026 and said procurement will draw on existing service contract vehicles under authorities from Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg.