Huntsville, Alabama | August 5, 2025 — In a bold step toward next-generation missile defense, Lockheed Martin has announced its plan to test a space-based interceptor capable of engaging maneuverable hypersonic missiles by 2028. The announcement, made by Amanda Pound, Director of Advanced Programs Development, signals a critical advance in the U.S. Department of Defense’s Golden Dome initiative, as reported by Defense One.
The system under development envisions a constellation of spaceborne interceptors able to detect, track, and neutralize threats before they enter U.S. or allied airspace. Concepts under consideration include orbital lasers and kinetic satellites that can shift into interceptors. According to Pound, Lockheed Martin is on track to launch a prototype into orbit within the next three years.
While the idea of orbital missile defense dates back decades — from the 1960s’ BAMBI program to Reagan’s Star Wars-era Brilliant Pebbles — recent developments in Chinese and Russian hypersonic systems have renewed its urgency. Some of these systems, including space-capable glide vehicles, have been deployed in combat and may soon become mainstream.
Lockheed Martin, deeply rooted in the heritage of these earlier programs through its 1995 merger with Martin Marietta, now finds itself in competition with SpaceX, which offers mass satellite deployment at lower cost. Despite this, Lockheed emphasizes its strength in integration across domains — including THAAD, PAC-3, and Next-Gen Interceptors, supported by cutting-edge radar and IR detection networks.
To accelerate development, Lockheed has launched a digital prototyping lab for rapid iteration of space-based concepts, welcoming contributions from smaller firms. Pound noted that Golden Dome will likely not be a single-prime initiative, but rather a multi-contractor ecosystem, with shared responsibilities and broad industrial collaboration.
As the U.S. faces a dramatically more complex missile environment, Lockheed Martin is betting on integration, adaptability, and strategic partnerships to help the Golden Dome take shape in space.
