The Pentagon aims to revolutionize its space defense capabilities by tackling the „real challenge” of affordability through an ambitious acquisition reform. The „Golden Dome” program, currently under official scrutiny, seeks to stimulate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) as a central pillar of this transformation. The announcement was made by Marcia Holmes, Deputy Director of the Golden Dome program within the Department of Defense (DoD), at the Miami Space Summit.
A New Vision for Acquisitions: Reduced Costs, Enhanced Capabilities
Holmes emphasized that innovation in acquisition processes is fundamental to reducing costs while rapidly expanding capabilities. The objectives are clear: integrating data from missile tracking satellites, developing Space-Based Interceptors (SBIs), and automating a comprehensive command and control (C2) network to link sensors to shooters.
„The real challenge we have today is how we integrate all these space assets into an integrated architecture to provide a layered defense affordably and at scale,” Holmes stated. She added that the comprehensive and sweeping acquisition transformation strategy, promoted by the Secretary of Defense, is essential to „enable the acceleration and innovation of Golden Dome.”
Artificial Intelligence: The Engine of Military Transformation
Artificial intelligence and autonomy will play an increasingly important role in the future of defense. „It will change how we deploy and use our weapons,” Holmes explained. Increased use of autonomy will contribute to reducing manning and, implicitly, sustainment costs. Furthermore, AI will enable the processing of large volumes of data and the rapid presentation of decision-making options, optimizing responses in critical situations.
These statements resonate with previous remarks made by General Michael Guetlein, the head of Golden Dome, who emphasized the need to „reduce the cost-per-kill equation” and develop weapon designs capable of addressing multiple phases of threat trajectories, for a layered, reliable, and affordable defense.
Space Interceptors: A Problem of Physics and Finances
One of the greatest concerns, highlighted by analysts and lawmakers, is the considerable cost of deploying enough space interceptors to counter multiple enemy missiles launched simultaneously. The laws of physics dictate that interceptors in low Earth orbit (LEO) remain within shooting range of a ground target for only about 7 to 10 minutes. This necessitates a large number of interceptors for each adversary missile, a problem known as the „absentee ratio.” This dilemma is particularly acute for the interception of ballistic missiles in their boost-phase, where the engagement window is extremely short.
In the context of these challenges, while the Space Force awarded contracts to 18 undisclosed contractors for boost-phase SBI prototypes on November 25, it swiftly followed up on December 7 with a request for proposals for mid-course interceptors, utilizing kinetic kill vehicles.
The C2 Network: The Brain of Missile Defense
Marcia Holmes stressed that AI will be essential to empower a C2 network capable of relaying data in near-real time from missile tracking sensors to SBIs and other land, sea, and air-based shooters. „Another significant initiative for Golden Dome is the instantiation of an integrated, advanced, and resilient battle management command and control powered by AI, artificial intelligence, to coordinate the vast network of sensors and interceptors that will be part of Golden Dome. The C2 is a crucial element to the success of Golden Dome,” she affirmed.
Beyond the Pentagon: The Commercial Sector’s Contribution to Missile Monitoring
A key element of the Golden Dome program will be the development and integration of data from tracking satellites, both those of the DoD and private firms. This involves „leveraging and upgrading our existing systems while pursuing commercial solutions and building advanced capabilities for future threats.”
Although Holmes did not go into detail, the Space Development Agency (SDA) is developing a Tracking Layer constellation optimized for detecting ballistic and hypersonic missiles in LEO, with the intention of deploying a network with global coverage beginning in 2029. SDA is also developing „fire control” sensors capable of providing highly precise targeting data for missile defense platforms. However, this missile tracking effort has drawn criticism from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for underestimating risks related to technological development hurdles, schedule delays, and cost overruns.
Space Systems Command is also working on a new set of some 30 tracking satellites with the same mission, but stationed in medium Earth orbit (MEO) to provide persistent global coverage by the early 2030s. In June 2025, the command awarded BAE Systems Space and Mission Systems a $1.2 billion contract for a second generation of 10 satellites, called Epoch 2, part of the „Resilient Missile Warning and Tracking (MWT) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)” program, with launches expected to begin in 2029.
Most recently, the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) announced that it is seeking „high fidelity” commercial sensors not just for tracking ballistic and hypersonic missiles, but also for discriminating between actual missiles and decoys, as well as for fire control. This initiative has two key objectives:
- Threat Detection, Tracking, and Discrimination: Demonstrating capabilities to detect, track, and support the engagement of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) or Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) across multiple flight phases (boost, midcourse, and glide). Advanced technologies are sought to deliver the precise positional data and target characteristics required to reliably discriminate lethal payloads from non-threats, such as space debris and countermeasures.
- Fire Control Enablement: Providing high-accuracy, real-time tracking data (including precise range, angular resolution, and high update rates) necessary for successful Kinetic Kill Vehicle (KKV) engagements in endo-atmospheric and/or exo-atmospheric environments.
