How Lockheed is thinking through Trump's Golden Dome demand
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Lockheed Martin is eyeing everything from its command-and-control networks to its F-35 stealth fighter to its Sentinel A4 radar for Golden Dome, the rebranded missile shield sought by President Trump.
Why it matters: "In terms of importance for the defense of the nation, it's similar to the Manhattan Project," Frank St. John, the company's chief operating officer, said in an interview.
- A key difference between past and future, though, is the "wide array" of existing, deployed equipment that will "form the basis," he said.
The latest: Lockheed is responding to government requests, including from the Space Development Agency and the Missile Defense Agency.
- The MDA wants solutions on a rolling basis, dubbed "epochs": no later than the ends of 2026, 2028, 2030 and "beyond."
The American industrial base — not just defense specialists — will be needed to realize Golden Dome, according to St. John.
- "This is a project that is going to require the best of every technology company, whether it's primes that already have existing systems that are proven and capable, whether it's commercial companies that would provide networking and artificial intelligence capability and cloud computing, or even new entrants that would come in with innovative ideas," he told Axios.
Zoom in: Lockheed's TPY-6 radar was used in a successful test intercept of a ballistic missile from Guam late last year. Its PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement has also succeeded in Ukraine.
Zoom out: RTX, L3Harris Technologies and General Atomics are also bullish about their chances.
Yes, but: Golden Dome will be pricey.
- Money will need to stretch across budget cycles, election swings and commanders in chief.
What's next: "We are in full planning mode," Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein said at an event last week when asked about Trump's Golden Dome executive order.
- "It's going to take concerted effort from the very top of our government," he added. "It's going to take national will to bring all this together."
Go deeper: What Trump's Iron Dome demands
