Fast-Tracked Development Following Executive Order The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has rapidly responded to President Donald Trump’s January 27 Executive Order directing the Pentagon to develop an “Iron Dome for America” by issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for industry proposals. This announcement came just four days after the executive order, highlighting a swift initiative aimed at enhancing the nation’s missile defense strategy.
Request for Information Details The RFI invites interested vendors to propose relevant capabilities by February 28. The request is structured to accommodate a broad spectrum of ideas, asking for deliverable capabilities within established two-year “epochs,” specifically targeting dates of December 31 for 2026, 2028, and 2030, and extending “beyond” 2030.
MDA aims to conduct market research that identifies innovative missile defense technologies, including system-level components and upgrades. The goal is to effectively detect and counter threats posed by ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, in addition to other advanced aerial attacks.
Objectives of the Initiative The MDA seeks collaboration with industry to develop and maintain a next-generation missile defense shield designed to protect U.S. citizens and critical infrastructure from foreign aerial attacks while ensuring a secure second-strike capability. The RFI details a range of technologies that correspond directly to the priorities outlined in the Trump Executive Order:
- Defense against ballistic, hypersonic, and advanced cruise missiles from various adversaries.
- Acceleration of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) deployment.
- Development of proliferated space-based interceptors for boost-phase interception.
- Establishment of terminal-phase intercept capabilities for countervalue attacks.
- Creation of a custody layer within the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
- Capabilities focused on defeating missile attacks pre-launch and during the boost phase.
- A secure supply chain for next-generation components with enhanced security features.
- Non-kinetic methods to support kinetic interception of advanced missile threats.
MDA’s Role with HBTSS An interesting development in the RFI is the designation of MDA as the lead agency for deploying the HBTSS, in contrast to the previous involvement of the Space Development Agency (SDA). The HBTSS, which features a medium-field-of-view camera for high-fidelity missile tracking, has been central to targeting systems intended for hypersonic missile interceptors.
Previously, the SDA had absorbed elements of the HBTSS program into its own designs, potentially stalling the development of the original program. However, the recent executive order has reinvigorated the HBTSS initiative, allowing MDA to regain control.
Future Integration Challenges Despite the renewed focus on HBTSS, questions remain regarding its integration within the broader tracking networks managed by SDA. Currently, there are no plans for incorporating the HBTSS sensors into SDA’s Tracking Layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. This raises crucial concerns about the operational deployment and compatibility of HBTSS with existing SDA satellite and ground systems once it is fully developed.
In conclusion, the MDA’s proactive approach to the „Iron Dome for America” initiative highlights a commitment to advancing U.S. missile defense capabilities through industry collaboration while navigating the complexities of inter-agency technology management.