How industry is lining up for big Golden Dome business
While big primes appear to be positioning themselves for leadership roles, Leidos CEO Tom Bell told reporters the company doesn't need to be "Mr. Golden Dome."
While big primes appear to be positioning themselves for leadership roles, Leidos CEO Tom Bell told reporters the company doesn't need to be "Mr. Golden Dome."
The test, dubbed Flight Test Other-26 (FTX-26), was originally planned for fiscal 2022, and again in 2023.
The agency's RFI seeks capabilities that can be deployed in "epochs" starting in 2026, and running in two year increments to "beyond" Dec. 31 2030.
The MDA request includes $105 million for the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR), slightly more than the $103.5 requested in FY24. LRDR, deemed a critical capability by US Northern Command (NORTHCOM)/NORAD leaders, will transfer to the Space Force to begin operations in FY25.
The first Lockheed Martin NGI is forecast for delivery to the warfighter as early as fiscal 2027, according to the company.
MDA Acting Director Rear Adm. Doug Williams said that the agency's plans include beginning tests of its Next-Generation Interceptor in 2027, "with the anticipation of operational testing of NGI at the end of 2029."
MDA's goal is to field the Next-Generation Interceptor to replace its current Ground-Based Interceptors by 2028.
Russia since this spring has been using both newly minted cruise missiles and even hypersonic missiles in its war to annex Ukraine.
"I would say the United States should prove to ourselves that we can shoot something down before we buy more of a thing," said DoD Assistant Secretary for Space Policy John Plumb. "So, fly before you buy, if fly includes shooting a missile down to prove that it works."
Boeing will continue to have a hand in MDA's Ground-based Midcourse Defense program.
The defense giant will integrate and modernize the weapons program for the Pentagon's intermediate and long-range Ground-based Midcourse Defense system.
Missile Defense Agency pushes back, pointing Breaking Defense to positive report from Pentagon tester, laudatory comments from senior military officials and recent test wins.
"The fiction that SDA and SMC are working together is just that," said a former senior DoD space official. "You know, they make nicey-nicey, but, the reality is that they're not working together."
“We have been been given a lawful order by the president to respond to this crisis on the border and we’re doing that,” a Pentagon official said.