The Space Development Agency is launching an investigation to see how its proliferated satellite constellations can support the Trump administration’s proposal for their home town’s missile defense shield.
In late January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order urging the Department of Defense to establish an “Iron Dome for America.” Although its name refers to the Israeli iron dome, the system is designed to counter the threat of a variety of advanced missiles, including hi-sonic weapons, cruise missiles, and drones.
The multi-layered architecture features several space-based elements that build on existing capabilities such as missile defense agencies’ high-solid and ballistic tracking space sensor programs, as well as the rapidly growing fighter space architecture of space development agencies, or PWSA. Masu. It also calls for the development of space-based interceptors, reviving debate over technically complex and politically loaded capabilities.
The SDA’s proliferation architecture includes satellites describing hundreds of missiles designed to detect and track orbital threats. In a notice Wednesday, the agency said it was conducting a survey looking at how its architecture could be expanded as part of Iron Dome’s proposal, asking companies to submit a technology concept proposal. It’s.
“SDA is interested in the industry’s perspective on the implementation of the Iron Dome for America Architecture, and is particularly interested in building and integrating PWSA’s current contribution to global kill chains and missile defense,” SDA said.
This document lists many topics that agencies will be studying related to Trump’s executive order. Accelerate the process of integrating missile defense agency space sensor technology into PWSA. Introducing new missile tracing and custody technology. Protecting the SDA supply chain. Improved sensor data processing and fusion functions on orbit.
The SDA wants proposals submitted by February 28th, noting that the research will directly inform the Department of Defense’s plans.
Meanwhile, the senator proposed a law that would add $10.4 billion to the Missile Defense Agency’s fiscal 2026 budget to fund the new missile shield in 2025. R-Alaska’s Dan Sullivan is based on Trump’s proposal and draws on findings from the Pentagon’s 2022 missile defense review, signed out by the Biden administration.
Courtney Albon is a C4ISRNET space and emerging technology reporter. She has been covering the US military since 2012, focusing on the Air Force and Space Force. She reports on some of the Pentagon’s most important acquisition, budget and policy challenges.
